The NC State softball team lost the opening game of its weekend series against UNC-Chapel Hill on Friday night, falling to the Tar Heels 6-0.
The Wolfpack’s (21-20, 4-11 ACC) bats were stifled all night long, as the Pack was only able to muster three hits, two from freshman third baseman Timberlyn Shurbutt.
Pitching in her seventh game in a row, sophomore starting pitcher Devin Wallace (11-10, 2.62 ERA) went the distance for the Pack and was given the loss. Wallace threw six innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks, striking out four.
The Tar Heels got the scoring going early, scoring a run in the first inning off of a wild pitch by Wallace. UNC would strike again in the second inning, blowing the game open with a four-run second inning.
After Wallace hit back-to-back Tar Heels batters to put runners on first base and second base, a groundout to Wallace put runners on second and third with two outs. Outfielder Destiny DeBerry then knocked a single into centerfield, scoring one run and then another when Wolfpack senior shortstop Alyssa Compton’s throw sailed away.
The damage wasn’t done yet, as Wallace proceeded to allow a walk and a single to the next two batters, loading the bases with two outs for the Heels’ cleanup hitter, outfielder Kristina Burkhardt. Burkhardt singled on an infield hit, scoring one run to put the Heels up 5-0. With the bases loaded again, Wallace was able to escape the jam, forcing a groundout to end the inning.
UNC would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with outfielder Brittany West stealing home to increase the Tar Heels’ lead to 6-0, where it would stay for the remainder of the game.
NC State struggled at the plate all game, registering only three hits and two walks and striking out ten times. In addition to Shurbutt’s two hits, junior first baseman Cheyenne Balzer had hit and a walk and freshman designated hitter Haylee Kobziak picked up a walk as well.
With the loss, the Wolfpack has now dropped five straight ACC games and eleven of its last fourteen games in conference play. NC State remains in last place in the ACC Atlantic and has the third worst conference and overall records in the conference.
The Wolfpack returns to action Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.
