COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nick Rickles’ RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning helped Stetson, which earlier trailed by five runs, defeat North Carolina State 8-7 in the Columbia Regional on Friday.
North Carolina State took a 5-0 lead in the third, helped by Harold Riggins’ two-run homer. But Stetson (42-18) came back on Mark Jones’ three-run shot the next inning and then a four-run fifth that gave them a 7-5 lead.
Danny Canela tied it for the Wolfpack (34-26) in the seventh with a two-run homer.
It remained that way until the ninth when Ben Carhart singled with one out and Rickles followed with a single between third and shortstop. North Carolina State left fielder Cameron Conner bobbled the ball and had no chance to throw out pinch-runner Sean Emory.
The Wolfpack lost their fourth straight NCAA tournament game and face an elimination game at the regional.