Wolfpack Wins Close Game Friday, Improve To 5-1

The Wolfpack won a tightly contested ball game 4-2 and handed the Calgary Dukes their first loss of the season Friday night to improve to 5-1 and take back posession of first place.

Curtis Smith (3-0) won his third conescutive start on the mound in this one allowing six hits, four walks, and added thirteen more strikeouts to his season total giving him thirty-seven on the year. He extended his league lead in strikeouts and is starting to distance himself from the rest of the pack as the two pitchers tied for second in that category each trail him by sixteen.

The offense capitalized on some early errors committed by the Dukes and helped the Wolfpack jump out to a four run lead after the second inning, and that would prove to be all Smith needed to seal up the victory. Shaun Connor and Carlos Charmell both led the Pack with two hits a piece, and Charmell played a role in all four of the Pack's runs as he knocked in two RBI and crossed the plate twice himself. Trent Lawson collected his first career base hit for the Wolfpack in a solid debut, and Jaret Loran set the tone early for a great defensive day by tracking down a deep fly ball in center field in the first inning.

After a brief hiccup against the White Sox last week, the Wolfpack are back to their winning ways heading into a Sunday morning double header against the last place Airdrie Brewers, first pitch is at 9am.