The NC State softball team has started its fall season off on a roll with hot bats and dynamic pitching to go along with a 4-0 record at the halfway mark.

The team’s two star-pitchers, senior righty Emily Weiman and Florida native sophomore Courtney Mirabella, have been on their A-game to start off the season, not allowing a single run yet in any of the team’s first four games.

 Weiman has 16 strikeouts in her 11 innings pitched. She also teamed up with freshman Harli Hubbard to throw a combined no-hitter. If those numbers aren’t impressive enough, Weiman has only given up two hits in her time on the mound this year. After being considered the team’s ace pitcher last year, Weiman has shown that she is still in top form and will be a force to be reckoned with as the season wears on. 

“Emily was right back in the form,” Head Coach Shawn Rychcik said. “I was really pleased with that.” 

Mirabella has also posted some impressive numbers. The talented sophomore has had the almighty strikeout working for her as well, as she has tallied 22 in 14 innings pitched. She also has only walked three hitters, showing that she is in command when on the mound. 

“I was really impressed with Courtney Mirabella,” Rychcik said. “She’s had a great fall and to go out and throw a four hitter and a one hitter and strikeout 22 batters in two games is a big step from last year.”

This dynamic duo has led the Pack to its impressive 4-0 start, having impressed their head coach with a top-of-the-line start to the season.  

“I was really pleased with where our pitchers were,” Rychcik said. “To have four shutouts, and to limit under ten hits for the weekend, four games, was a really good start for our pitching staff.”

Pitching hasn’t been the only thing to talk about for the Pack, as the bats have been on fire as well. Sophomore outfielder Tyler Ross has brought some power from the left side of the plate for the team, as she has three runs batted in, a triple and a go ahead home run against Campbell Camels to start off her season. Senior shortstop standout Renada Davis has also returned to form as she has recorded some timely hits as well for the Pack.

NC State has also been receiving a boost from some talented freshmen such as California native Alyssa Compton and talented first baseman Meredith Burroughs, who have each brought their hot-hitting with them to NC State. Compton went three-for-three with three runs batted in during the team’s game against Longwood. She followed that performance with a two-for-two outing against Campbell. Burroughs also had a great performance against Campbell, going three-for-three with a two run homerun. These two freshmen have provided batting threats and tons of offensive power to the Pack’s offense.

“With Meredith Burroughs and Alyssa Compton, freshmen who have had good starts with the bat, I’m real pleased with how they started and how they’re getting comfortable,” Rychcik said. “There is just a lot of potential in our lineup.”

NC State will have four more games in their fall schedule against the Elon Phoenix and the Pitt Community College Bulldogs. The Pack will look to finish up their fall season undefeated before they move on to stiffer competition during the team’s spring schedule.