In the second game of its weekend series, the NC State softball team couldn’t get its bats going against Florida State, losing 5-0.
The Wolfpack (23-30, 5-17 ACC) was completely stifled by the Seminoles (43-10, 20-3 ACC), failing to register a single hit and mustering just four baserunners, three courtesy of walks and one on an error.
The Seminoles got the scoring started early, plating two runners in the top of the first with a leadoff home run and a wild pitch by the Wolfpack.
Florida State would score two more in the second inning, this time as a result of a bases loaded walk and a groundout to second base.
In the sixth inning, the Seminoles would provide an unnecessary insurance run, adding to their lead with an RBI single into center field and making the score 5-0.
NC State got some momentum going in the bottom of the fourth, with runners on first and second with just one out. Unfortunately for the Pack, freshman catcher Lily Bishop popped up to shallow center field and sophomore center fielder Jade Caraway grounded into an inning-ending double play.
The Wolfpack threatened again in the bottom of the sixth, getting runners on first and second due to a walk and an error with two outs before freshman catcher Lily Bishop grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
In a game in which runners were hard to come by and hits were, quite literally, nonexistent, the Pack couldn’t afford to leave multiple runners on base in two separate innings.
Sophomore pitcher Devin Wallace (11-16, 3.35 ERA) went the distance for the Wolfpack but was handed the loss. Wallace allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and six walks, while striking out six Seminoles batters.
Florida State pitcher Kylee Hanson was electric throughout the entire game, going the distance in her no-hitter and striking out seven batters while handing out only three free passes.
Freshman infielder Chandley Garner and sophomore catcher Haylee Kobziak were the only Wolfpack batters to reach base. Garner walked twice and Kobziak did so once in addition to reaching on an error.
For NC State, this loss is its 10th loss in its last 11 games, and drops the Wolfpack to 3-16 in its last 19 games.
The Wolfpack returns to action Sunday at 12 p.m. at Dail Softball Stadium in the last game of its series against Florida State.
