On June 10, 2024, North Carolina State’s Eli Serrano III played a pivotal role in their victory over Georgia in the Men’s College World Series. In the sixth inning, Serrano hit a home run, giving NC State a crucial lead. Then, in the seventh inning, he made a leaping catch that preserved their advantage. This win marked NC State’s fourth trip to the MCWS. They will face Kentucky in the opening-round game on Saturday after winning 18 of their last 23 games.
The Wolfpack became the fourth ACC team to reach this year’s MCWS, alongside Florida State, Virginia, and UNC. Georgia, who forced a winner-take-all game with their victory on Sunday, was looking to make their seventh trip to the MCWS but fell short against NC State.
NC State took an early lead and extended it to 6-3 in the seventh inning. Georgia threatened to come back with two runners on base but was unable to do so due to Serrano’s highlight catch. The Wolfpack’s offense continued to produce as Makarewicz hit a home run in the eighth inning, giving them an 8-4 lead.
Georgia attempted a comeback with Charlie Condon hitting a home run in the ninth inning but ultimately fell short of NC State’s lead. Derrick Smith closed out the game with his eighth save of the season. Serrano went 3-for-4 and Makarewicz finished with three RBIs in the game. Additionally, Garrett Pennington contributed with a two-run home run in the second inning, extending NC State’s streak of hitting a home run in six consecutive NCAA tournament games.
This victory marks another milestone for North Carolina State as they continue their success on the diamond.
