NC State (26-2, 9-2 ACC) starting pitcher Reid Johnston limited the Virginia (16-11, 6-5 ACC) offense to six hits in a 3-0 complete game shutout on Saturday at Doak Field at Dail Park.
An RBI double by David Vasquez that scored Tyler McDonough from first base in the second inning and a two-run home run by Jonny Butler in the fifth was all the run support that Johnston needed. The right-hander struck out seven Cavaliers while walking only one. The complete game shutout is only the second in the ACC this season (Connor Thomas – Georgia Tech).
Virginia junior Noah Murdock (Colonial Heights, Va.) turned in his staff-best, fourth quality start. He logged seven innings for the second time this season and third time in his career. He matched Johnston with seven strikeouts, tying a career-high. He faced the minimum four times on the night including a 1-2-3 inning in his final frame.
Lead-off man Tanner Morris (Crozet, Va.) was the only multi-hit performer for the Cavaliers who were limited to a conference-play low, six hits. Morris led off the top of the ninth inning with a single and a batter later, Brendan Rivoli (Douglassville, Va.) followed with his first hit of the night to bring the tying run to the plate with one out. Johnston was able to induce a pop out and a ground out to help NC State even the series.
Freshman Zack Gelof (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) extended his hit streak to 16 games with a single in the top of the seventh inning. He has now reached base in all 27 games this season.
In relief of Murdock, freshman Blake Bales (Schoolcraft, Mich.) worked a scoreless eighth inning, facing four batters with one strikeout.
The rubber match of the three-game ACC series between Virginia and NC State is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday (March 31). The Cavaliers will have freshman right-hander Mike Vasil on the mound. NC State has yet to announce a starting pitcher.
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Chris Graham
