In its doubleheader versus Notre Dame Saturday at Dail Softball Stadium, NC State softball picked up two crucial wins to stay afloat in conference play.
The first game of the day and second of the series was a resounding 6-0 victory with sophomore right-handed pitcher Carly Maxton pitching a one-hit shutout, with much of the NC State (18-11, 2-4 ACC) lineup producing offensively. Game 3 was a nail biter with the Pack not getting the bats going until its back was against the wall, pulling out the win, 5-3, to take the series over the Irish (12-15, 2-4 ACC).
Game 2: NC State 6, Notre Dame 0
Game 2 was a drama-free affair, with Maxton in the circle giving no opportunity for the Irish to get anything going, giving up just one hit and walking three batters.
With strong performances throughout the season, Maxton leads the pitching staff with a 2.06 ERA — but her teammates are not far behind, as each pitcher has an ERA of equal to or less than a 2.60.
“It’s never just going to be one of them,” said head coach Lindsay Leftwich. “The pitchers were great across the board.”
On the offensive side, the Pack got going early, scoring three runs in the first off the bats of redshirt junior second baseman Michele Tarpey, junior designated hitter Hannah Church, freshman shortstop Kendall Simmers and senior right fielder Taylor Ensley.
The bats stayed hot throughout the game, with the Pack tallying six extra-base hits, including two home runs from redshirt senior catcher Payden Bordeau and senior third baseman Hannah Goodwin.
Game 3: NC State 5, Notre Dame 3
The Pack offense had been dormant for four innings after it scored two runs in the second inning, and was headed into the bottom of the seventh down one 3-2.
Sophomore center fielder Tori Ensley was at the plate, looking to be the hero. She connected, punching one into left, rounding first, and pushing for second base as the left fielder collected the roller. The risky maneuver proved costly as Tori Ensley was tagged out, and NC State was down to its final two outs.
Soon, Tarpey quickly fell to 0-2. But she fought tremendously to keep the Wolfpack in the game, spoiling pitch after pitch, and after 15 pitches, found herself on first base with a walk.
This at-bat changed everything, and gave life to a struggling offense.
“I knew I needed to get on base in whatever way I could, fouling off pitches — I just needed to beat her,” Tarpey said. “I knew somebody behind me was going to do it.”
The Pack was not totally in the clear though. Church — NC State’s RBI leader on the season — struck out to bring the Pack down to its last out. But Taylor Ensley stayed composed, hitting the game-tying RBI single. A strikeout ended the inning, and the game was headed to extras.
After quickly retiring the Irish on defense, the Pack stayed hot on offense, with Bordeau hitting a leadoff double.
The game was blown open when junior left fielder MaKayla Marbury sent one over the left centerfield wall — winning the game with a big boom. When her team needed her, Marbury was calm and focused, not letting the situation be too big.
“I wasn’t thinking at all, to be honest,” Marbury said. “I was just trying to trust all the work that we have put in throughout the week and just do what I practice, and I trusted it.”
As a team, the Pack stuck together and powered through the pressure.
“This was the first time in a conference game that I’ve seen this team fight through something, figure out how to win and fight back and stay in it, and not just roll over,” Leftwich said. “That was big for us moving forward, and it will set us up for some more success as we go.”
NC State will not play a midweek game, and next takes on Boston College (10-11, 0-6 ACC) in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, on March 21-23. First pitch of Game 1 is set for Friday at 3 p.m.
