Observations From Wolfpack's Friday Victory Over Duke

1. LF Rett Johnson: 1-5, K
2. 2B Luke Nixon: 1-5, R, RBI, 2 BB, K
3. 1B Chris McHugh: 2-5, R
4. CF Ty Head: 1-3, R, 2 BB
5. 3B Sherman Johnson: 1-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 3-R HR (4)
6. DH Dalton Bargo: 0-2, BB, K -- PH Brandon Novy: HBP
7. RF Brayden Fraasman: 1-5, R, 3B
8. C Drew Lanphere: 2-3, R, RBI, BB
9. SS Mikey Ryan: 3-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR (8)

LHP Ryan Marohn: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 9 K, W (6-1)
RHP Anderson Nance: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K, S (3)

Key observations

The Wolfpack got another solid outing from Marohn, who worked his way methodically through 5.2 innings before handing the ball to Nance, who thrived in another long-relief outing. Marohn pitched smartly against the Blue Devils, weaving in and out of traffic with his strikeout pitches. He racked up nine punchouts during the outing before he was done.

It helped that Nance regained his top form after some shakier outings, coming in and completely shutting down any hope for a Blue Devil comeback. His eight strikeouts were the most in any outing all season for the powerful righty. It didn't hurt that the offense picked up the pitching in a big way, blasting three home runs in the win.

Ryan accounted for two home runs on his own, continuing a torrid stretch at the plate after really struggling for a few weeks. Sherman Johnson hammered his third homer in two games, still utilizing the change in approach he explained after the midweek victory over UNC Wilmington on Tuesday.

The victory pushed the Wolfpack to 23-11 on the season and over the .500 mark in conference play. After the team lost seven games in a row, things looked quite dire, but the change in fortune lately seems to be fixing the morale and confidence, especially at the plate. Look for NC State to show even more aggression when chasing a series win on Saturday, with righty Heath Andrews set to get the start.