The NC State softball team blanked USC Upstate 8-0 Wednesday afternoon at Dail Stadium behind a stellar pitching and hitting performance from the Pack.
The Wolfpack (16-18, 2-4 ACC) battled the Spartans (28-8, 3-3 ASUN) four times previously, compiling an overall record of 4-1, with three of those wins coming in Raleigh.
“I think we were really focused today and intentional about what we wanted to do at the plate and in the circle,” head coach Shawn Rychcik said. “A lot of credit to our players for coming out today and attacking.”
Rychcik is approaching 400 wins; he is currently at 396 after four years with NC State and eight years at Boston University.
“That’s a product of good coaching staff and really good players,” Rychcik said. “It’s more about the players. It’ll be a nice moment for them as much as it will be for me.”
Junior Tyler Ross and redshirt junior Hanna Sommer put the Pack ahead with a 2-0 lead by the end of the first inning with a solo home run a piece.
“I think we came out today with an aggressive attitude and that’s how we need to come out again this weekend,” Ross said.
Ross had a three-run blast in the second inning putting the Pack ahead 5-0. Holding the Spartans to no runs, Ross hit one down the middle to score Alyssa Compton. Heading into the fourth inning, NC State was up 6-0.
“I went out there with a relaxed mindset,” Ross said. “My first home run set the tone and the second one felt even better.”
Ross collected her ACC-leading 12th and 13th home runs Wednesday.
“It exploded off her bat and I think it set the tone for us,” Rychcik said of Ross’s initial homer. “I like the fact that we backed it up for the next four innings. We got runs each inning.”
Freshman Brittany Nimmo ran for Sommer in the fourth inning after senior Maggie Hawkins hit a two-run blast to put the Wolfpack up by 8-0. Hawkins has now hit eight home runs this season. It was a five-inning mercy win for the Wolfpack.
“I was pleased with all aspects of the game; we hit well, pitched well and were solid on defense,” Rychcik said. “I was pleased with the energy we had today. We jumped on them [USC] right away and never let up.”
Junior Courtney Mirabella was at the mound for NC State today for her 13th win. She prevented any Spartan runner from reaching third base and only allowed one hit, a season-best for the Pack this season.
“[Mirabella] kept the ball off the center of the bat really well today with good velocity and good movement,” Rychcik said of the pitcher. “Anytime you can shut down a team like that to one hit is good. She threw a good game; she was very efficient.”
The Pack faces the Pittsburgh Panthers in a doubleheader this weekend at Dail Stadium. The Panthers are 21-11 and 3-6 in ACC play. Pittsburgh also won its Wednesday game against St. Bonaventure in a doubleheader.
