NC State softball defeated East Carolina 4-3 in Greenville on Tuesday night off two home runs from freshman shortstop Kendall Simmers.
The Wolfpack (24-25) came in looking to earn the season sweep of the Pirates and its first road win since March 26, while ECU (25-23) sought some in-state bragging rights.
After two scoreless innings, the Pirates broke through in the third with a three-run home run. The Wolfpack responded quickly with a homer of its own by Simmers. This cut the Pirates lead to 3-1.
Senior right fielder Taylor Ensley got the Pack back on the board in the sixth with a reach on a fielding error. Later in the inning, Simmers hit her second home run, claiming the first NC State lead. After a couple strikeouts in the sixth and seventh, it was able to close out the win and return to Raleigh in the victory column.
Simmers’ big night is a product of an elite freshman campaign. The Bridgewater, Virginia native hit her two homers in just three trips to the plate. Tonight marked her 13th on the season, good for second on the team.
The Wolfpack’s pitching staff — juniors Wynne Gore, Rylee Wyman and sophomore Carly Smith — delivered a standout performance, combining for just five hits in a balanced effort. The only runs ECU scored were off the three-run homer.
As NC State prepares for its next home series, this experience can serve as a confidence boost. The Wolfpack will need it this weekend as an ACC tournament outsider against No. 11 Duke, which marks the last three in-conference outings.
The Wolfpack will play its next game at Dail Softball Stadium on Friday against the Blue Devils. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
