Craig MeyerUSA TODAY NETWORK
At the highest levels of college baseball, the difference between championship glory and vanquished dreams is extraordinarily thin, often painfully so.
At the 2024 College World Series, NC State learned just how little separates a 2-0 record from being sent home on the third day of the event.
More: Buy College World Series tickets with StubHub
Logan Whitaker had a career-high 10 strikeouts in seven masterful innings out of the bullpen and Alec Makarewicz hit his second home run at the CWS on Monday, but the No. 10 Wolfpack was unable to overcome a four-run second inning from Florida in a 5-4 loss that eliminated it from the CWS at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
It was NC State’s second one-run loss of the event, with both games being decided by identical 5-4 scores.
REQUIRED READING: NC State baseball eliminated from College World Series with loss to Florida
The Wolfpack ends its 2024 season with a 38-23 record and its third CWS appearance since 2013. Florida will move on to play the loser of a Monday night game between No. 2 national seed Kentucky and No. 3 Texas A&M.
Brandon Butterworth had two hits and two RBIs for NC State while Makarewicz hit his team-leading 24th home run of the season with a two-run shot in the bottom of the third inning.
The Wolfpack spent much of the day playing from behind after a Jac Caglianone three-run home run in the top of the second inning gave Florida a 4-1 advantage. It was the 34th home run of the year for the Gators’ star, who hit a Dominic Fritton pitch 404 feet to right field, with an exit velocity of 115.9 miles per hour.
Whitaker relieved Fritton after two shaky innings and kept his team within striking distance throughout the afternoon. In addition to his 10 strikeouts, the 6-foot-6 right-hander gave up just two hits, one earned run and three walks, two of which were intentional walks to Caglianone, across seven innings and 104 pitches.
In a game decided by such a small margin, NC State had several missed opportunities that proved to be costly. The Wolfpack left eight runners on base, three of which came in the first inning when, shortly after taking a 1-0 lead on a Butterworth RBI single. NC State had the bases loaded with just one out. From there, however, Alex Sosa struck out looking and Luke Nixon flied out to center field.
Check out all the scores, updates, highlights and more from NC State baseball’s CWS elimination game against Florida:
REQUIRED READING: Why does NC State baseball use hockey stick in home run celebration? How NHL's Carolina Hurricanes helped
NC State baseball vs Florida score: Gators 5, Wolfpack 4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Florida | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NC State | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
REQUIRED READING: NC State baseball looks to regroup after heartbreaking CWS loss to Kentucky
NC State baseball vs Florida updates, highlights
All times Eastern.
Bottom of ninth inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
4:53 p.m.: Alec Makarewicz flies out to left field and that will do it for NC State. Tough end to the season, losing each of its CWS games by a 5-4 score, but an excellent season for the Wolfpack, who finish the 2024 season 38-23 and make the CWS for the third time since 2013.
4:52 p.m.: Pennington strikes out swinging. Wolfpack down to its final out.
4:51 p.m.: Serrano strikes out looking to open the inning. If this is it for NC State, it's been a rough CWS for Serrano, who has gone 0 for 9 in the past two games.
Top of ninth inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
4:47 p.m.: The decision on Caglianone proves to be a wise one, with Wilson popping out to right field. NC State has three outs left to try to extend its season. Serrano, Pennington and Makarewicz are due up for the Wolfpack.
4:46 p.m.: NC State opts to intentionally walk Caglianone with the bases empty. The Florida mascot is shown mimicking a chicken in the crowd. I'd say that's more a wise move that it is cowardice.
4:46 p.m.: Kurland flies out to Serrano in center field. Two down, with Caglianone back up to bat.
4:44 p.m.: Whitaker is back in the game and strikes the first batter out looking. Now up to a career-high 10 strikeouts on the day.
Bottom of eighth inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
4:40 p.m.: Soles strikes out swinging to end the inning and strand another runner for the Wolfpack. NC State has left eight on base today.
4:39 p.m.: Nixon gets a swinging third strike, but the ball gets away from the Florida catcher. Nixon, however, isn't able to get to first on time. In the process, though, Shaffner moves to third. The tying run for the Wolfpack is 90 feet away with two outs.
4:36 p.m.: Chase Nixon in for Heavner as a pinch-hitter.
4:35 p.m.: Luke Nixon drops a sac bunt to advance Sosa to second base. One out, but a man now in scoring position for NC State. Andrew Shaffner inserted into the game as a pinch-runner.
4:34 p.m.: Sosa rips a line-drive single to right field. His second hit of the day.
Top of eighth inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
4:31 p.m.: Donay grounds out to third for the third out. Whitaker is up to 92 pitches, so it's possible that may be it for him, though it would certainly be worth it to see if he can get through the ninth given the way he's been throwing.
4:29 p.m.: Make that two outs, with Thomas popping out in foul territory to Pennington at first base.
4:29 p.m.: Shelnut draws a walk. Man on first with one out for Florida.
4:26 p.m.: Heyman strikes out swinging. Whitaker now up to nine strikeouts. What a day for the 6-6 righty. Ties a career high.
Bottom of seventh inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
4:21 p.m.: Butterworth strikes out swinging. Feels like a big missed opportunity for the Wolfpack. On to the eighth inning we go.
4:20 p.m.: Cozart draws a walk after fighting back from being down in the count. Runners on first and second with Butterworth and his two RBI up to the plate with two outs.
4:17 p.m.: Makarewicz strikes out looking on a pitch to the inside. Just grazes the edge of the plate.
4:16 p.m.: Pennington drives it deep to center, but Robertson chases it down and hauls it in. One out, with Makarewicz up to the plate.
4:12 p.m.: Serrano draws a leadoff walk. He has yet to get a hit in the CWS, but he's dangerous on base.
Florida quickly pulls the plug on Clemente, pulling him and bringing in Brandon Neely from the bullpen. Neely has appeared in 26 games this season for the Gators, including six starts. He has a 5.30 ERA in that time, with 96 strikeouts and 27 walks.
Top of seventh inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
4:08 p.m.: Shelton pops out to left field to send NC State to the plate. Wolfpack have scored in alternating innings today, so after going scoreless in the sixth, is that pattern due to continue in the seventh?
4:07 p.m.: Wilson strikes out swinging, giving Whitaker his eighth K of the day. Two down. Whitaker's at 70 pitches.
4:05 p.m.: Caglianone pops out to Nixon in left field for the first out of the inning. Was Caglianone's first non-intentional walk at-bat since his homer in the second.
Bottom of sixth inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
4:02 p.m.: Soles grounds out to short to end the inning.
4:01 p.m.: Nixon is thrown out at second on an attempted steal. It was an extremely close play, but NC State doesn't challenge. Two outs and bases now empty.
3:59 p.m.: Heavner pops out in foul territory on what was an attempted bunt to advance Nixon. One out.
3:57 p.m.: Florida making a pitching change after Luke Nixon is walked, with Fisher coming out of the game and Jake Clemente taking the mound. Clemente, a 6-3 right-hander, has a 5.68 ERA in 16 appearances this season, all but two of which have been out of the bullpen.
Top of sixth inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
3:53 p.m.: What an incredible play from Soles in right field. Kurland hits a deep drive to right field, with the ball drifting in the Omaha wind, but Soles lays out on the warning track to rob Kurland of what would have at least been a double. That much more impressive of a play considering the injuries Soles is playing through. Three up, three down.
3:51 p.m.: Robertson grounds out, sending Florida back to the top of its order with two down.
3:50 p.m.: Whitaker gets Donay to strike out looking. His seventh K in 3 2/3 innings.
Bottom of fifth inning: Florida 5, NC State 4
3:47 p.m.: Sosa strikes out swinging, but a strong inning overall for the Wolfpack.
3:45 p.m.: Butterworth gets his second hit and second RBI of the day, doubling to the right field wall on an opposite-field shot, sending Pennington home. NC State back within one and with a runner in scoring position.
3:44 p.m.: Cozart strikes out. Two down.
3:42 p.m.: Makarewicz grounds out to third, with Pennington remaining on second base. One out.
3:40 p.m.: Pennington rips a double to the left field wall, flying over Shelnut's head, to lead off the inning.
Top of fifth inning: Florida 5, NC State 3
3:37 p.m.: Whitaker strikes out Thomas looking. NC State will head to the plate to try to cut into its deficit.
3:35 p.m.: Whitaker's first hit allowed is a big one. Shelnut hits a solo homer to left field to double Florida's lead. Third home run in the past five games for the Gators' left fielder.
3:34 p.m.: Heyman grounds out to short. Two down for Florida.
3:32 p.m.: Shelton strikes out swinging, Whitaker's fifth strikeout of the nine batters he has faced. The tall right-hander is dealing
Bottom of fourth inning: Florida 4, NC State 3
3:29 p.m.: Serrano grounds into a double play to end the inning.
3:28 p.m.: Kurland is unable to scoop up a slow-roller from Soles, who makes it to first. It's ruled as an error on Kurland.
3:27 p.m.: Matt Heavner grounds out to second. One down for NC State.
Top of fourth inning: Florida 4, NC State 3
3:23 p.m.: Wilson strikes out swinging, ending the Florida threat. It's Whitaker's fourth strikeout in just two innings.
3:21 p.m.: Elliott Avent wisely opts to walk Caglianone, putting runners on first and second with two outs.
3:20 p.m.: Kurland strikes out swinging. Two outs.
3:18 p.m.: Robertson with his second hit in as many at-bats today, with a single up the middle. Robertson is now 4-for-6 at the CWS.
3:16 p.m.: Whitaker strikes Donay out swinging. One out.
Bottom of third inning: Florida 4, NC State 3
3:13 p.m.: Luke Nixon strikes out swinging to end the inning. Wolfpack have cut its deficit, though.
3:11 p.m.: After outs for Cozart and Butterworth, Sosa singles, with a hard-hit ground ball bouncing off the glove of Heyman at first. Two outs with a man now on first for NC State.
3:07 p.m.: NC State gets a much-needed answer, trailing by three early. Makarewicz gets ahold of a Fisher pitch and lifts it over the left-field wall for a two-run shot, his second home run in as many games at the CWS.
Wolfpack is back in this.
3:05 p.m.: Pennington gets hit near the wrist to lead off the inning. He takes first base, but man, getting plunked twice in two at-bats can't be a lot of fun. Florida is challenging the call, but it's upheld.
Top of third inning: Florida 4, NC State 1
3:02 p.m.: Thomas flies out to Serrano in center field to end the inning. Pretty quick work for Whitaker, who needed just 10 pitches to get through the inning.
3:01 p.m.: Shelnut grounds out to short for the second out of the inning.
3:00 p.m.: Whitaker strikes out Heyman swinging for the first out.
2:58 p.m.: Fritton is out of the game for NC State after 55 pitches across two innings. Gave up four earned runs, walked three and struck out three. Struggled with his command for much of the short outing.
Logan Whitaker now in the ballgame for the Wolfpack. Whitaker has a 6.06 ERA in 12 apperances this season.
Bottom of second inning: Florida 4, NC State 1
2:56 p.m.: Serrano grounds out to Shelton at short, who was shifted over a bit to his left to get him in position to scoop up the ball. On to the third inning we go.
2:55 p.m.: Noah Soles grounds out to second for the second out of the inning. He was moving a bit gingerly up the line on his way to first.
2:53 p.m.: Matt Heavner gets jammed and pops out to shortstop. One down for NC State.
2:52 p.m.: Cade Fisher in the game now at pitcher for Florida. Kevin O'Sullivan told ESPN that Caglianone wasn't injured, but was simply tired. Fisher has a 7.16 ERA in 26 appearances this season.
Top of second inning: Florida 4, NC State 1
2:50 p.m.: After walking Ashton Wilson after Caglianone's blast, Fritton strikes out Colby Shelton to get out of the inning. Damage done for the Gators, though.
2:44 p.m.: With runners still on first and second, Caglianone drills his 34th home run of the season. Ball traveled 404 feet to right field with an exit velocity of 115.9 miles per hour. Florida surges out to a 4-1 lead.
2:43 p.m.: Cade Kurland pops out to left field, but Thomas is able to tag up and comfortably beat Nixon's throw home. Tie ballgame.
2:40 p.m.: Michael Robertson hits a line drive to left field for a single, but Thomas is held at third. Bases loaded with one out and the top of the Florida order back up to the plate. Caglianone is on deck.
2:38 p.m.: Another walk for Fritton, this one to Brody Donay. Runners on first and second for Florida. Fritton's been a bit erratic today, with 19 strikes and 14 balls.
2:35 p.m.: Fritton walks Florida's Dale Thomas. One on with one out for the Gators.
2:33 p.m.: Tyler Shelnut lines out to Butterworth at shortstop. One out.
2:32 p.m.: Caglianone was shown by ESPN in the Florida dugout rubbing his elbow. Between that, his shaky first inning and how Florida needs him for more than just pitching, you wonder how long he's going to last today on the mound.
Bottom of first inning: NC State 1, Florida 0
2:30 p.m.: Luke Nixon flies out to center field to end the inning. Wolfpack gets on the board, but leaves three stranded.
2:28 p.m.: A much-needed strikeout for Caglianone, who gets Alex Sosa out looking. That ball appeared to be inside, but umpire goes with the called third strike. Sosa spoke with the ump briefly after the call.
2:26 p.m.: After getting down 1-2 in the count, Brandon Butterworth gets a groundball single to left field, bringing home Pennington to put NC State up 1-0. Makarewicz holds at third, keeping the bases loaded with one out.
2:24 p.m.: Caglianone isn't able to bounce back, walking Jacob Cozart on four straight pitches. Bases loaded with one out. Florida already has a man up in the bullpen.
2:23 p.m.: Alec Makarewicz gets walked, giving NC State runners on first and second with one out. After Caglianone gets down 2-0 to the next batter, Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan comes out for a mound visit.
2:19 p.m.: Garrett Pennington takes first base after being plunked with a pitch. Third hit-by-pitch today between the two teams. That one caught Pennington near the hip. Didn't look pleasant.
2:18 p.m.: Eli Serrano flies out to center for the first out of the bottom half of the inning.
Top of first inning: NC State 0, Florida 0
2:14 p.m.: Fritton gets out of the inning with another 93-mile-per-hour fastball getting a batter swinging on a two-strike count, this time Luke Heyman. Wolfpack heading to the plate now.
2:13 p.m.: Another batter hit by a Fritton pitch. Florida now with runners on first and second with two outs.
2:11 p.m.: A 93-mile-per-hour fastball from Dominic Fritton gets Caglianone out swinging. Gators get a base-runner in the next at-bat, though, as Fritton plunks a batter.
2:10 p.m.: We're off in Omaha. A hard-hit ground ball to Matt Heavner at second base is the first out of the day. One down for Florida. Caglianone up to bat now
Pregame
1:30 p.m.: Florida now has its lineup posted, with about half an hour to first pitch. Gators going with Caglianone, the team's two-way star, on the mound today. Caglianone is 5-2 this season with a 4.71 ERA across 15 appearances, all of them starts.
1:26 p.m.: NC State going with white hats, white jerseys with red undershirts and white pants for the elimination game today.
12:46 p.m.: NC State has its lineup out, with Dominic Fritton getting the start today for the Wolfpack with its season on the line. Fritton is 3-6 this season with a 7.35 ERA. Most recently, he took the loss in NC State's 11-2 super regional defeat against Georgia, giving up seven earned runs and seven hits in three innings.
What channel is NC State baseball vs Florida on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)
The Wolfpack and Gators will face off in a matchup airing on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, ESPN+ and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
NC State baseball vs Florida start time
- Date: Monday, June 17
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
First pitch for NC State’s game against Florida is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET from Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
NC State baseball schedule 2024
Below is NC State’s postseason schedule. To see the Wolfpack’s full 2024 schedule, click here.
Raleigh Regional
- Friday, May 31: NC State 9, Bryant 2
- Saturday, June 1: NC State 6, South Carolina 4
- Sunday, June 2: NC State 5, James Madison 3
Athens Super Regional
- Saturday, June 8: NC State 18, Georgia 1
- Sunday, June 9: Georgia 11, NC State 2
- Monday, June 10: NC State 8, Georgia 5
College World Series
- Saturday, June 15: Kentucky 5, NC State 4 (10 innings)
- Monday, June 17: vs. Florida
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
