BOX SCORE

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina State put three runs on the board in the first and seventh innings on the way to a 6-3 win over Radford in the first of a two-game series on Tuesday afternoon.

Matt Hillsinger hit his second homer of the season for the Highlanders (6-5), who had a three-game winning streak stopped.

Cameron Conner drove in four of NC State's (6-5) runs, going 3-for-3. He knocked in two in the first inning that put the Wolfpack ahead 3-0, then drove home two more on a double to right center with one out in the seventh to extend the lead back out to three runs.

Both of Conner's run-scoring hits came with the bases loaded.

“We need to do a better job of making every situation count, especially with the new bats,” head coach Joe Raccuia said. They put up a crooked number in the first inning that shouldn't have happened and we a chance to come back in the seventh but couldn't do it.”

Hillsinger put Radford (6-5) on the board in the third inning when he turned on a two-out, 2-0 pitch and sent it flying over the right field wall to make it a 3-1 game.

A double to the warning track in right center by Cory Turner led off the top of the seventh – he later advanced to third on a wild pitch by reliever D.J. Thomas and scored on another wild pitch to bring Radford within one, 3-2, before NC State answered with three in the home half.

Robert Lamas led off the eighth inning with a double, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Brett Mollenhauer to cap the scoring.

Vance Williams picked up the win (1-0) for North Carolina State, going six innings and struck out five. Cassidy McDaniel went five innings in his first start of the season, giving up three runs and fanning four in the loss (1-0).

“It was a well-pitched game for us today, with Cassidy and a strong finish by Jacob Palese,” Raccuia added.

Palese struck out four in an inning and two-thirds of scoreless relief.

Radford returns to Doak Field at Dail Park tomorrow to face the Wolfpack in the second game of the series at 2 p.m.