The NC State softball team was hard at work last week, playing in seven of nine scheduled games against Pittsburgh, Gardner-Webb and Notre Dame — the game against Winthrop this past Tuesday and this Sunday against Notre Dame were both canceled. The team only managed to secure three wins, one from each team.
To kick off the break, the Wolfpack (14-9, 2-3 ACC) played against Pittsburgh, March 2-4 at Dail Softball Stadium. The Wolfpack’s first game was a shutout 7-0 win, succumbing to Pittsburgh for the following two days 9-1 and 7-5.
At a stalemate for the first four innings, the Pack picked up the pace during the fifth with four runs. After a run from freshman Chandley Garner to break the drought, freshman Timberlyn Shurbutt hit a homer to left center with teammate freshman Sam Russ and sophomore Jade Caraway on base. The Pack began the sixth inning with a four-run advantage.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Pack ended the game with an added three runs. This came from Garner, who hit a home run to bring sophomore Haylee Kobziak and senior Alyssa Compton home.
The freshmen duo Shurbutt and Garner both hit home runs that resulted in three RBIs which contributed to six of the Pack’s seven runs.
The following day was a turnaround from the previous game. Pittsburgh had a fast opening in the first inning, scoring three runs. The first inning set the scene for the rest of the match as the Pack’s opponent was able to score one run in the fourth inning, three runs in the sixth inning and then followed by two more runs in the seventh.
The Wolfpack only managed one run in the fourth inning from a home run hit by Shurbutt before falling silent to Pitt. The team only managed three hits in seven innings, but a positive for the Pack was the 10 putouts by freshman Lily Bishop.
The final day against the Panthers was a close fight that reflected a middle ground from the previous two matches.
After the first three innings passed with no runs from either team, Pittsburgh scored a total of four runs in the fourth and fifth innings. The Pack easily made up the difference in the sixth inning, tying the score.
The break happened in the seventh inning when Pittsburgh slipped past the Pack with three runs. The Pack only decreased the lead by one run in the bottom of the inning.
After a few days of rest, the Wolfpack went on the road against Gardner-Webb. The team played a doubleheader, losing the first game 6-5 and winning the second game 10-0.
The Wolfpack went into the second inning with no runs, but that all changed when Garner opened the inning with a home run.
By the end of the third inning, the two teams were tied 2-2. Yet, the Pack lost some ground as the Runnin’ Bulldogs scored two additional runs in the fifth inning. The Wolfpack fought back in the seventh inning with three runs. Russ and Caraway stole second and third base respectively which led to two runs when junior Cheyenne Balzer hit a triple, bringing the two home. Balzer soon found herself to home plate before the third out.
Gardner-Webb also scored two runs in the seventh inning, causing the Pack to face a close loss 6-5.
The loss didn’t deter the team in the second match as the Pack closed the game in six innings, completely shutting down Gardner-Webb’s offense. By the bottom of the fifth inning, the Pack had control of the game 6-0.
With spring break coming to an end, the softball team returned to Dail Softball Stadium to face Notre Dame. With another doubleheader, the Pack managed one win but was first dealt another loss.
The first game was a crushing defeat for the Wolfpack, 15-0. Following a quick opening, the Irish gained six more runs in the second inning.
The other portion of the Irish’s runs came in the third and fifth inning. The Pack’s opponent was able to score 15 runs, three of the hits being home runs.
Even though the Pack won the second game on the first day 4-1, it wasn’t as deafening as the first game.
The Wolfpack picked up a run in the second inning and three runs in the fifth inning, only giving up one run to the Irish in the third inning.
