To close out The Raleigh Times tournament, NC State softball came from behind after being shut out in the first five innings, with an explosive seven-run sixth inning, to defeat Queens 7-2 Sunday evening at Dail Softball Stadium.
The Pack’s offense was dormant the first five innings as it only put together two hits. On the defensive end, it gave up a run in the top of the sixth, allowing the Royals to increase their lead to 2-0. In an attempt to create a spark for its offense, head coach Lindsay Leftwich decided to make some changes to the lineup, including pinch-hitting redshirt senior Payden Bordeau for sophomore center fielder Tori Ensley.
It paid off when Bordeau, coming in with the bases loaded, punched a two-RBI single into right field to deliver the game-winning run for the Pack. Bordeau came up clutch to keep the Pack in the win column, securing its third straight.
“Being in those situations and just having a good mindset, I think it’s just something you kind of gain as the years go on,” Bordeau said. “And just not getting down when you’re not in the starting lineup, and just staying locked in the whole time.”
To start the sixth, freshman shortstop Kendall Simmers led off, reaching on a bloop single into right field. Redshirt junior first baseman Michele Tarpey doubled, advancing Simmers to third, putting two runners in scoring position. With no outs, the first run of the sixth came on a wild pitch, with Simmers crossing the plate. Junior catcher Hannah Church reached on a fielder’s choice after the fielder misplayed the ground ball.
Then Bordeau came in to deliver the game-changing blow, putting the Pack in a prime position to close out the game. Four more runs followed in the sixth with Simmers getting the final RBI as the Pack went through the whole batting order to take a 7-2 lead.
Before all of the drama, it was a pitcher’s duel with starting junior right-handed pitcher Rylee Wyman, retiring six of the first seven batters.
Wyman struggled in the third as she walked the second batter and hit the third as she was seemingly losing her command. Because of that, Leftwich switched pitchers, putting the ball in the hands of junior right-handed pitcher Wynne Gore.
Gore closed out the rest of the game, allowing six hits over 4.2 innings, but only allowing one earned run. It seemed like Gore got into trouble, but didn’t allow the Royals to do too much damage. Gore finished with six strikeouts.
“We’re gonna win in the spring because of our pitching staff — it isn’t just going to be one of them, and when one person needs to step up and be the one, they will be the one,” Leftwich said. “But we’re gonna win this thing because of them as a group.”
A win like this could help springboard the Pack into a successful stretch of conference play as it starts ACC play in Atlanta on Friday, facing Georgia Tech.
“I think to be down the whole game and finding a way to fight through it at the end gives us some confidence,” Leftwich said. “Georgia Tech is gonna be scrappy, they’re gonna play well. So we’re gonna have to come out here with some fight.”
First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
