After picking up its first win since late March, NC State softball failed to carry its midweek momentum into Thursday night’s 2-1 loss to UNC-Chapel Hill.
The Wolfpack (22-24, 4-15 ACC) played the Tar Heels (34-13, 11-8 ACC) tough, holding them scoreless after the first inning but couldn’t complete the comeback. A lack of offense proved costly, keeping the Pack outside the ACC Tournament picture.
Junior starting pitcher Rylee Wyman earned two quick outs in the top of the first but relinquished the early 2-0 lead on three singles and a walk. She limited the damage and held UNC-Chapel Hill scoreless through the finish.
“It’s the game, it’s going to happen, you’re going to give up a few runs,” Wyman said. “It just matters what you do after that. So being able to stay locked in and focused and not dwell on those runs being given up is just a huge part of pitching.”
She allowed just two more hits the rest of the way, giving her offense a chance to respond.
The Pack tallied just three hits and one walk in the first six innings, with senior first baseman Taylor Ensley going 2-for-3, but the team couldn’t string together a rally and remained scoreless.
That changed in the seventh, when junior left fielder MaKayla Marbury stepped to the plate. With no hesitation, she pounded a solo shot over the center field fence, cutting the deficit to one with her leadoff homer. The Pack put two more on base with a single from freshman third baseman Taryn Massey and a walk from junior center fielder Ellie Goins.
With runners on first and second, sophomore right fielder Tori Ensley flew out to deep center after a long at-bat. Next up, her older sister Taylor, 2-for-2 on the day at that point, was the player that the Pack wanted at the plate in the clutch. But the game ended after she popped one up and fouled out near the first base dugout.
“Taylor had a great night at the plate,” head coach Lindsay Leftwich said. “We did exactly what we needed to do. We got the bat in her hands when it mattered. And sometimes you miss — sometimes you don’t get the result… We just have to keep trying to do our jobs in the right spots. And hopefully, the good things are going to come together at the same time.”
Massey, making her fifth start for the Pack, had her first multi-hit outing, also making an impressive play at third as she snatched a liner sent straight at her forehead. She’s emerged as a bright spot during the team’s struggles.
“I think her confidence level has helped the entire infield feel good about what we’re doing and where we’re going,” Leftwich said. “I’m just proud of the way that she stayed ready no matter what. Now she’s getting these results.”
If it wants a spot in the ACC Tournament in Brighton, MA., the Pack needs to pass Boston College (4-12 ACC) and Notre Dame (5-14). With five conference games to play — including three against No. 17 Duke — the Pack must close the gap.
The Pack will face the Tar Heels again on Friday at Anderson Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
