Live blog: Pack forces game three of Super Regional with 6-5 win

After taking a lopsided loss in game one of the Super Regional against top-ranked Arkansas, NC State rallied to take game two of the series to force a decisive third contest on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Three homers in the fourth inning, a two-run shot from sophomore shortstop Jose Torres and solo blasts from sophomore catcher Luca Tresh and sophomore third baseman Vojtech Mensik, put NC State up 5-2 after it had started the game down 2-0 in the second.

Freshman pitcher Sam Highfill delivered a gem from the mound, allowing just two hits (both homers) over 6.1 innings. A three-run seventh, partially aided by a two-out throwing error from Torres, closed NC State's lead to 6-5, but redshirt junior lefty Evan Justice was able to retire the final six in order, ending the game with a swinging strikeout on a full count pitch.

The winner of Sunday's game will advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

The Wolfpacker gave inning-by-inning updates from the game below.

NC State closer Evan Justice got a fly out and ground out to third to start the ninth. Then on a full count pitch, Justice gets a swinging strikeout to end the game.

NC State 6, Arkansas 5

NC State is unable to make any hard contact off Arkansas star pitcher Kevin Kopps.

NC State 6, Arkansas 5

NC State closer Evan Justice rebounds from the seventh with a 1-2-3 eighth.

NC State 6, Arkansas 5

Arkansas ace pitcher/reliever Kevin Kopps entered the game for the first time this series. He quickly retired the side in order with a strikeout.

NC State 6, Arkansas 5

A one-out solo homer from first baseman Brady Slavens snapped NC State pitcher Sam Highfill's streak of 16 batters retired in a row. Highfill then surrendered a walk and was relieved by junior closer Evan Justice.

After an infield pop-out, a single up the middle sent the tying run to the plate. A grounder to short Jose Torres turned into an unearned run when Torres' throw drew first baseman Aaron Murr off the bag.

A single up the middle then made it a one-run game before Justice was able to get a strikeout to end the inning.

NC State 6, Arkansas 5

Sophomore catcher Luca Tresh led off the inning with a single, followed by a walk to junior right fielder Devonte Brown. A perfect sacrifice bunt from sophomore third baseman Vojtech Mensik advanced the runners into scoring position. Junior second baseman J.T. Jarrett scored Tresh on a RBI groundout.

NC State 6, Arkansas 2

Arkansas brought All-SEC performer Christian Hamilton in for a pinch-hit. Hamilton, who has been battling strep throat, struck out swinging at the end of a lengthy battle, as Pack pitcher Sam Highfill worked a fourth straight 1-2-3 inning and has retired 15 in a row.

NC State 5, Arkansas 2

Junior left fielder Jonny Butler reached on a one-out single and then stole second base, but he was left stranded there.

NC State 5, Arkansas 2

Pitching with a lead for the first time today, freshman Sam Highfill worked a third straight 1-2-3 inning and has retired 12 in a row overall.

NC State 5, Arkansas 2

A leadoff single from junior designated hitter Terrell Tatum was followed by a two-run homer from freshman shortstop Jose Torres to put the Pack up 3-2. Sophomore catcher Luca Tresh then went back-to-back, and two batters later sophomore third baseman Vojtech Mensik went deep.

The three homers gave NC State a 5-2 edge.

NC State 5, Arkansas 2

NC State's Sam Highfill has retired nine in a row after allowing the two-run homer in the second.

Arkansas 2, NC State 1

NC State was able to get its first two runners aboard. After a sacrifice moved runners up 90-feet, Arkansas went into its bullpen. NC State sophomore center fielder Tyler McDonough hit an RBI groundout to score sophomore third baseman Vojtech Mensik from third, but junior rightfielder Jonny Butler was frozen on a strikeout to end the inning.

Arkansas 2, NC State 1

Sam Highfill has responded well since allowing the two-run homer, retiring five in a row including a 1-2-3 third.

Arkansas 2, NC State 0

Designated hitter Terrell Tatum worked a leadoff walk and stole second, but rightfielder Devonte Brown struck out swinging on a full count pitch to end the inning.

After a leadoff walk, NC State pitcher Sam Highfill allowed a two-run homer to left from designated hitter Charlie Welch to give the Razorbacks the early advantage.

Arkansas 2, NC State 0

NC State goes down in order to complete a scoreless first.

NC State 0, Arkansas 0

Arkansas is the visiting team today, and NC State freshman starter Sam Highfill had a quick and efficient first inning, throwing just seven pitches to work a 1-2-3 half.

NC State 0, Arkansas 0

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