RALEIGH, N.C. (Interstat) — Ty Head launched a three-run homer to cap a five-run seventh inning, and Jacob Dudan struck out 10 over 6 2/3 strong frames as North Carolina State rallied past Lafayette 10-4 on Saturday evening at Doak Field.

The Wolfpack (13-2) avenged a surprising loss to the Leopards (1-8) from the previous afternoon, using a late offensive surge to pull away after Lafayette had carried a lead into the middle innings.

Dudan, the Wolfpack’s top star, was dominant after a shaky first inning. The right-hander allowed just four hits and one earned run while walking one. He retired 16 of the final 19 batters he faced, recording double-digit strikeouts for the second consecutive start.

Lafayette struck quickly against Dudan in the first. Leadoff hitter Barrist singled, moved to second on a groundout and scored when Dudan unleashed a wild pitch. The Leopards then loaded the bases with two outs, and three more runs came across on a passed ball, a walk and a hit batsman, staking the visitors to a 4-0 lead before Dudan recorded a strikeout to end the 37-pitch inning.

North Carolina State answered immediately in the bottom half. After a leadoff walk to McHugh, Dalton Bargo connected for a two-run homer, his fifth of the season, to cut the deficit in half. The Wolfpack threatened for more, putting two runners in scoring position, but could not further close the gap.

From there, Dudan settled in and the game became a pitchers’ duel. Lafayette relievers Dalton Brown, Wesley Maksimow and Alex Payne combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while navigating traffic to preserve the 4-2 lead.

The Wolfpack finally broke through against the Leopards’ bullpen in the later innings. Mikey Ryan led off the sixth with a solo home run, his fifth, to make it 4-3.

The most important part of the game came in the seventh. With two on and one out, Lafayette turned to reliever Basso. He allowed an RBI sacrifice fly to Johnson, tying the game at 4-4. After a walk reloaded the bases, Head stepped in and demolished a 1-1 offering deep over the right-field wall for a three-run shot, his seventh homer of the year, to give North Carolina State a commanding 7-4 advantage.

The Wolfpack added insurance in the eighth, sending nine men to the plate. Brayden Fraasman, who finished 3 for 5, drove in a run with a single. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Head delivered again, lashing a two-run single up the middle to complete a five-RBI afternoon and extend the lead to 10-4.

Lafayette showed a final spark in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Teddy Cashman blasted a three-run homer off Wolfpack reliever Black, pulling the Leopards within six runs. It was too little, too late, as the next batter grounded out to end the game.

North Carolina State’s offense produced 10 hits, including three home runs, and capitalized on two sacrifice hits. Lafayette managed just five hits total, with three coming in the first inning. Leopards pitchers issued nine walks and hit two batters.

The teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon.