With conference play right around the corner, the N.C. State softball team could not pick a better time to have both its hitting and pitching come into form.
The Wolfpack defeated St. Bonaventure 15-0 in a game shortened by the mercy rule at Dail Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The defending ACC champions were led by reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year Emily Weiman, who hurled her second career no-hitter. The junior pitched five innings and struck out seven while walking only two. She threw 46 of her 68 total pitches for strikes
“One of things I wanted was for [Weiman] to limit her walks.” N.C. State head coach Shawn Rychcik said. “Unfortunately, she had two today, it was not disappointing because she had good command on the day, but we have got to get her going.”
Despite her fantastic performance, Weiman credited a full team effort in the victory.
“[A no-hitter] is exciting, it is nice to have,” Weiman said. “I just came out here to do my job. My teammates backed me up and put some runs on the board. It’s much easier pitching with runs on the board.”
After scoring only 10 runs during the first seven games and starting the season 1-6, the Pack has pushed across 26 runs during its current four-game winning streak. Junior shortstop Renada Davis, who belted 27 homers last season, blasted two long balls over the left-field fence on Tuesday.
“[Davis is] one of the best,” Rychcik said. “She is so dangerous. She can leg some hits out and hits for power.”
Davis’ first round-tripper was a solo shot in the second inning, giving the Wolfpack a 4-0 lead. She followed that with a two-run homer in the fourth to make it 7-0.
“I felt really good,” Davis said. “I was more focused on not thinking at the plate, because I had been thinking the past couple of weekends, so I focused on not thinking and reacting to the ball. Today we all just came out and stroked. We did really well connecting with the ball and getting runs going and hits going.”
The loss dropped St. Bonaventure to 1-9 on the season. The Bonnies had defeated Cleveland State on Sunday after losing the first eight games of the season.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” Rychcik said. “I am real happy that we were clean defensively too. A good day all the way around. On paper, I thought that is what we should do and it was nice to see it happen.”
Eight different Pack players drove in runs on the afternoon. Freshman outfielder Nadia Kemp had a two-RBI triple in the first inning, while sophomore infielder Lana Van Dyken and senior infielder Chelsea Tate each had doubles to make up State’s extra-base hits.
N.C. State begins conference play Saturday with a doubleheader to begin a three-game set with the Virginia Cavaliers at Dail Softball Stadium. Game three of the series will take place Sunday. The Pack will play its next 10 games at home before traveling to Florida State on March 15.
“These past four games were good for us to get our momentum for the weekend and to start off ACC play,” Weiman said. “I think some people got their confidence back today and will be able to all contribute this weekend. I think we are ready. It is nice to be home. We can get relaxed here and get on a roll. It is always fun to play at home.”
