The Stetson Hatters scored their most runs in an NCAA Regional game in 18 years Friday.
As the third seed in the Auburn foursome, they cruised past No. 2 North Carolina State 11-2 at Plainsman Park. Stetson scored the first nine runs before the Wolfpack got on the board in the bottom of the eighth.
With the victory, the Hatters (41-20) will take on the winner of Friday evening’s matchup between Auburn and Central Connecticut State at 6 p.m. Saturday. NC State (33-20) will play the loser of Friday’s finale at noon.
The News-Journal brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Check them out below.
Final score: Stetson 11, NC State 2
Stetson polished off its dominant NCAA Tournament-opening performance and advanced in the winner’s bracket with an 11-2 victory.
NC State fell into the loser’s bracket with its eighth loss in 11 games.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 11, NC State 2, top of 9
Have yourself a day, Isaiah Barkett.
With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, the former NC State player crushed a double high off the left-field wall, plating two more runs. He is 3-for-4 with three doubles and four RBIs.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 9, NC State 2, bottom of 8
NC State played long ball again off Gorelick.
This time, Brandon Novy took him deep to left-center with two outs.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 9, NC State 1, bottom of 8
The Wolfpack are on the board.
Left fielder Josh Hogue took a Gorelick pitch and blasted it over the right-centerfield fence for a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the eighth. It was only the second homer Gorelick has surrendered this season.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 9, NC State 0, top of 8
Stetson tacks on one more.
Following a leadoff double by Isaiah Barkett in the top of the eighth, he scored from third two batters later on a groundout by Lorenzo Meola. That chased Wolfpack pitcher Jaxon Lucas from the contest, with Tristan Potts succeeding him.
Stetson makes pitching change vs. NC State
After six shutout innings, Jonathan Gonzalez’s day is done. The lefty allowed five hits and three walks while striking out four batters.
He retired 10 of the final 12 he faced.
Redshirt sophomore right-hander Jake Gorelick replaced him for the bottom of the seventh.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 8, NC State 0, middle of 5
Salvador Alvarez drove in his second run of the day, slapping a two-out RBI single down the right-field line to cause the first score change since the first inning. Evan Griffis trotted home.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 7, NC State 0, end of 4
Stetson’s lead remains 7-0 through four innings, as both teams have settled in.
Jonathan Gonzalez has allowed four hits and three walks but twirled four scoreless frames for the Hatters. He has struck out four.
Shane Van Dam is in his second inning of work out of the Wolfpack ‘pen.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 7, NC State 0, middle of 1
The Hatters weren’t done following the pitching change.
After a sacrifice fly by Salvador Alvarez, Barkett, batting for the second time in the frame, launched a two-run double into the gap in right-center field.
Stetson baseball score: Hatters 4, NC State 0, top of 1
Once the delay finally ended, Stetson wasted no time getting on the board. The Hatters have already caused an NC State pitching change.
Isaiah Barkett and Juan De La Cruz led off the game with back-to-back walks against Wolfpack starter Dominic Fritton. Both later scored, Barkett on an error and De La Cruz on a bases-loaded walk to Foster Apple.
Following a strikeout of Jordan Taylor for the first out of the inning, Evan Griffis lined a single into right field to score two more.
Fritton threw 33 pitches. Anderson Nance (3.51 ERA in 51⅓ innings) is the new hurler.
Stetson baseball starting lineup vs. NC State
NC State baseball starting lineup vs. Stetson
New start time announced for Stetson, NC State
A new start time has officially been set for 4:16 p.m. EST.
If that holds, the rain delay will have postponed the first pitch by two hours and 16 minutes past the original schedule.
Stetson vs. NC State rain delay update
Still under a weather delay in Auburn, but the Hatters and Wolfpack should be progressing toward the first pitch. The tarp is now off the field at Plainsman Park.
Stetson vs. NC State baseball rain delay
The Hatters and Wolfpack will not start on time due to bad weather in Auburn. The delay was announced shortly after 1 p.m., less than an hour before the scheduled first pitch.
Stetson baseball starting pitcher
The Hatters will throw their ace.
ASUN Pitcher of the Year Jonathan Gonzalez takes the ball in Game 1 of the Auburn Regional. The redshirt senior lefty holds a 1.95 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 87⅔ innings this spring.
This will be his 15th start.
Opposing him will be Dominic Fritton. The NC State southpaw enters with a 5-4 record and an ERA of 4.00.
What time does Stetson baseball vs. NC State start?
First pitch for Stetson vs. North Carolina State is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST.
What TV channel is Stetson vs. NC State baseball on today?
Stetson’s game vs. NC State will air live on ESPN+.
Who is in NCAA Tournament Auburn Regional?
NCAA Tournament Auburn Regional schedule, bracket
Friday, May 30
Saturday, May 31
Sunday, June 1
Monday, June 2 (if needed)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stetson baseball vs. NC State highlights: Hatters dominate Game 1 of Auburn Regional
Reporting by Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
