NC State baseball is in the winner's bracket after cruising to an 8-1 win over Alabama in the Ruston Regional hosted by top-seeded Louisiana Tech.

The second-seeded Wolfpack (31-17, 19-14 ACC) used a stellar performance from right-handed pitcher Reid Johnston, who was backed up by the powerful offense that crushed five homers from four different players, including two from right fielder Devonte Brown.

Johnston worked into the ninth before being relieved by lefty Chris Villaman, allowing just four hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out seven.

In addition to Brown, shortstop Jose Torres, catcher Luca Tresh and centerfielder Tyler McDonough hit homers for the Pack.

The third-seeded Crimson Tide (31-25, 12-17 SEC) will go into the loser's bracket.

NC State will face the winner of the 7 p.m. game between Louisiana Tech and fourth-seeded Rider. Alabama will meet Saturday afternoon in an elimination contest.

NC State has won 15 of its last 19 games

Here were the live updates from NC State-Alabama:

A leadoff walk ended starter Reid Johnston's outing, but lefty Chris Villaman emerged from the bullpen to retire the side after that, including the last two by strikeouts.

NC State earns a convincing win to start the Ruston Regional.

NC State 8, Alabama 1

NC State's fifth homer of the day was also the second for the day for right fielder Devonte Brown, a solo shot that extended NC State's lead.

NC State 8, Alabama 1

Johnston works around a two-out walk with a strikeout to end the inning.

Through eight innings, Johnston has thrown 94 pitchers, positioning him well for the complete game attempt.

NC State 7, Alabama 1

NC State's Jonny Butler reached on a leadoff walk and advanced to second on designated hitter Terrell Tatum's sacrifice, but Butler would eventually be stranded at third base.

NC State 7, Alabama 1

An efficient Ried Johnston worked around a one-out hit batter to retire Alabama with no damage done. He has thrown 78 pitches through seven innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six.

NC State 7, Alabama 1

NC State goes 1-2-3 and is retired in order.

NC State 7, Alabama 1

Alabama has two runners reach base, but both were left stranded by Pack starter Reid Johnston.

NC State 7, Alabama 1

Back-to-back walks to leftfielder Jonny Butler and designated hitter Terrell Tatum set up shortstop Jose Torres' three-run homer to give NC State a 7-1 lead. That was the Pack's fourth home run of the afternoon, all by different players.

NC State 7, Alabama 1

A two-out solo homer for Alabama left-fielder Jackson Tate puts the Tide on the board. Third baseman Zane Denton had begun the inning with a hard-hit fly ball off the rightfield wall, but he was thrown out at second base in his attempt at a double.

NC State 4, Alabama 1

A two-out double high off the left field wall by second baseman J.T. Jarrett put a runner in scoring position, but first baseman Austin Murr ended the inning with a pop-out.

NC State 4, Alabama 0

Wilson grounds out. Johnston strikes out the next two Alabama batters to end the top half of the inning quickly. Four strikeouts for Johnston on the afternoon as the Pack heads into the bottom of the fourth with a four-run lead.

NC State 4, Alabama 0

Jarrett strikes out swinging for out No. 1.

Leadoff hitter Austin Murr is walked to put a man on first base. Center fielder Tyler McDonough drills a high fly ball to right field that bounces off the scoreboard for the third homer of the afternoon, driving in two runs.

Butler hits a deep fly ball to left, but it's caught for out No. 2.

Tatum doubles to left center. Torres gets hit in the elbow on the first pitch of the count, putting a man at first and second.

Ras gets a mound visit but stays in the game.

Tresh pops out to shortstop to end the inning, leaving two on base.

NC State 4, Alabama 0

Johnston retires the side again 1-2-3. A quick top half of the inning, and the Pack remains on top by two.

NC State 2, Alabama 0

Clean-up hitter Terrell Tatum grounds out to shortstop for out No. 1.

Shortstop Jose Torres rips a double down the left-field line. He's then caught too far off the bag and is picked off from the pitcher at second for out No. 2.

The very next pitch, catcher Luca Tresh blasts a homer to left-center field for the first run of the game.

Then right fielder Devonte Brown hits on to the exact same spot just a few pitches later to make it a two-run ball game.

Third baseman Vojtech Mensik flies out to right field to end the inning.

NC State 2, Alabama 0

Johnston returns the favor for the Pack and takes care of Alabama 1-2-3 in the top of the second, including two strikeouts.

NC State 0, Alabama 0

NC State goes down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning to leave it scoreless after one.

NC State 0, Alabama 0

Alabama leadoff hitter Peyton Wilson pops out to shortstop.

Right fielder William Hamiter drills a double to right-center field with one out. The Tide doesn't take advantage of the early opportunity, however. Catcher Sam Praytor lines out to NC State second baseman J.T. Jarrett, who quickly tags second base for the double play.

NC State 0, Alabama 0

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