The Doubletree RDU Invitational was a busy weekend for NC State softball as the it faced Ohio, Bryant and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
It was a tough 2-0 loss to Ohio in the first match of the weekend. For the Wolfpack (15-14, 2-1 ACC) it was the first shutout of the season.
Ohio’s pitcher Savannah Dorsey dominated the circle and struck out 12 of the Wolfpack at bat. Sophomore Macauley Prickett made the only hit for NC State.
It was two singles, one in the fourth and the other in the sixth, that gave Ohio the win. Junior Courtney Mirabella pitched her ninth complete game in the circle for the Pack striking out three batters and limiting Ohio to four hits.
The Wolfpack came back strong in the second game Friday against Bryant scoring a 2-1 lead early. Junior Hannah Yeager hit a solo home run to extend the Pack’s lead to 3-1. Maggie Hawkins walked with bases loaded and State took the game 4-1.
Sophomore Harli Hubbard pitched most of the game allowing only one run and striking out six before freshman Brittany Nimmo took her place. Nimmo made her first-career save with the final out of the game.
Saturday was split in a doubleheader against IUPUI.
NC State got an early start in game one with a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Lana Van Dyken and Tyler Ross scored the first two points on the game with Molly Hutchison hitting a two RBI single to make it 4-0.
The Jaguars caught up and stole the lead with four runs apiece in the third and fourth innings. It was Hutchison’s three run homer that got the momentum back for the Pack at a one run deficit. Yeager hit her first grand slam with the bases loaded to clinch the game 11-8 for NC State.
Mirabella, Nimmo and Hubbard split the first game against the Jaguars. Nimmo collected the win pitching the final two innings and only allowed one hit and two strikeouts.
The second match against IUPUI posed problems for the Wolfpack. The Jaguars picked up five runs due to walks by NC State. IUPUI continued to dominate in the second inning with another two runs on the board making the lead 7-0.
Hawkins made the first run for NC State with help from Van Dyken. IUPUI was quick to answer and pushed the score to 8-1. Sophomore Meredith Burroughs hit a RBI double and NC State was able to score.
Despite bases loaded in the sixth and two runs in the seventh, the Pack lost 8-4. Hawkins and Burroughs were called in to pitch after injuries with the regular pitchers.
Hawkins and Burroughs were also in the circle against the final game of the Invitational against Bryant Sunday morning. Burroughs saw her first-career start in the circle and pitched six full innings before Hawkins stepped in. Burroughs was able to strike out two batters and prevent earned runs.
Bryant took advantage of the new pitchers and made it a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. In the bottom of the sixth NC State made a comeback and took the lead 4-3. The Pack almost tied the score but fell to the Bulldogs after Bryant scored five runs off two homers in the seventh.
Up next for the Wolfpack are the East Carolina Pirates Tuesday at Dail Softball Stadium.
