March 18, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - Virginia Tech squandered a three-run lead in the ninth inning, then took advantage of two North Carolina State errors to defeat the Wolfpack 6-4 in 11-innings on Sunday. The hard-earned ACC victory improved the Hokies' record to 13-8 overall and 3-3 in the conference.

Tech got outstanding pitching from senior Adam Redd (Dumfries, Va.) on the way to a 2-0 lead after six innings and went into the bottom of the ninth holding a 4-1 advantage. A three-run, five-hit NC State rally sent the game into extra innings.

Redd, who also held down the designated hitter duties, got Tech's 11^th-inning rally going with a one-out single off NC State reliever Eryk McConnell (1-1). Redd moved to second on a single by shortstop Warren Schaeffer (Vandergrift, Pa.) and scored on a Wolfpack throwing error that allowed Schaeffer to advance to third. Schaeffer headed for home when second baseman Matt Hacker (Richmond, Va.) grounded to third base and arrived safely thanks to an errant throw to the plate.

Sophomore reliever Rhett Ballard (High Point, N.C.), who entered the game in the eighth inning, got caught by State's three-run rally in the ninth, but continued to battle the Wolfpack in extra innings. He struck out four of the last seven batters he faced to post his fourth win against just one loss. Ballard worked a total of four innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out a total of seven batters and walked just one.

A single by left fielder Jose Cueto (Miami, Fla.) got the Hokies on the board in the top of the first inning. Tech first baseman Sean O'Brien (Chappaqua, N.Y.) reached on a one-out single, but was erased on a fielder's choice ground ball off the bat of third baseman Bryan Thomas (Wilmington, N.C.). Redd followed with a single that moved Thomas to second, setting up Cueto's run-scoring hit.

Tech picked up another run in the top of the fifth when Hacker led off the inning with a single, moved to second when right fielder Steve Bumbry (Cockeysville, Md.) drew a walk and scored on a one-out single by center fielder Nate Parks (Roanoke, Va.).

NC State (16-7; 3-3) broke up the shutout with a run against reliever Scott Stoehr (Timberville, Va.) in the seventh. First baseman Pat Ferguson singled with one out and then took second on a groundout. Ferguson scored on a two-out single by second baseman Dallas Poulk.

Tech increased its lead to 4-1 in the eighth. A double by Parks and a dropped ball in left field gave the Hokies runners at second and third with no outs. A sacrifice fly by Thomas brought home Parks and a single by Redd over a drawn up infield plated the second run.

The Wolfpack's game-tying ninth inning was fueled by five hits, including a two-run single by center fielder Matt Payne, followed by a tie-producing single from right fielder Joe Florio.

Redd started on the mound in place of scheduled starter David Cross (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who was still nursing a forearm sprain suffered during a brief relief appearance against Marist on Wednesday. The senior right-hander retired 13 of the first 14 Wolfpack batters he faced and did not give up a hit until Poulk stroked a single with one out in the fifth inning. Redd allowed just two hits in his six scoreless innings, striking out five batters and walking two. He also contributed three of the Hokies' 12 hits.

Redd was joined with three hits by Cueto. Parks and Hacker added two hits apiece for Tech.