NC State softball continued its stay in the Sunshine State in the final two days of the Black and Gold Classic hosted by UCF in Orlando, Florida, going 2-1 with a wins against James Madison on Friday and Saturday and a loss to UCF on Friday evening.
NC State beats JMU 5-0
In Friday’s first game, the Wolfpack took control early and never looked back against the Dukes. NC State’s offense came alive in the second inning, putting together a four-run rally that set the tone for the rest of the game. Freshman shortstop Kendall Simmers kicked things off with her first collegiate hit, a single to get the offense going. Junior second baseman Teagan Thrunk followed with another single, putting three runners on base. Junior center fielder Ellie Goins then delivered a two-RBI single and a JMU throwing error allowed Goins to advance to second, further capitalizing on the play.
Sophomore left fielder Tori Ensley kept the momentum going with a sacrifice fly, scoring another run for NC State. Before the inning ended, Goins crossed home plate on a passed ball, pushing the Wolfpack’s lead to 4-0. The offensive explosion in just one inning proved to be more than enough for NC State’s pitching staff to control the game.
The Wolfpack added another run in the fourth inning. Thrunk singled and advanced to second on an error, eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly from Ensley. That insurance run extended the lead to 5-0, giving NC State a comfortable cushion.
On the defensive side, sophomore pitcher Carly Maxton was nearly untouchable. Maxton recorded a career-high six strikeouts and delivered her first career shutout, silencing JMU’s lineup. Her strong command and ability to keep hitters off balance played a crucial role in securing the Wolfpack’s victory.
NC State’s offense was led by Thrunk and junior catcher Hannah Church, who each recorded two hits. Meanwhile, Goins and Ensley contributed significantly to the scoring effort, driving in two runs apiece.
NC State loses to UCF 3-1
The evening game against UCF proved to be a tougher challenge for NC State. The Knights, playing in front of their home crowd, displayed strong pitching and timely hitting to edge out the Wolfpack in a close battle.
UCF struck first, breaking the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning. The Knights managed to push two runs across, putting pressure on NC State’s offense to respond.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Wolfpack got on the board thanks to Simmers, who continued her impressive day at the plate. She launched a solo home run to left-center field, marking her first collegiate home run. The clutch hit cut UCF’s lead to 2-1, giving NC State a chance to mount a comeback.
The Wolfpack’s offense had additional opportunities as senior third baseman Hannah Goodwin and others recorded hits, but UCF’s pitching staff limited NC State’s ability to string together consecutive baserunners. The Knights added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning, extending their lead to 3-1.
On the pitching side, junior Rylee Wyman started for NC State and put in a solid effort, recording three strikeouts over three innings. Junior Wynne Gore took over in relief, marking her return to the circle after missing the previous season due to injury. Gore pitched effectively, keeping the Wolfpack within striking distance, but the offense couldn’t generate enough runs to take the lead.
NC State downs JMU 3-1
JMU entered Saturday’s bout looking for revenge from its earlier shutout loss and made adjustments accordingly. Though held hitless for the first two innings, the Dukes allowed just one hit — a single from redshirt junior first baseman Michele Tarpey — from the Wolfpack through the first two frames, preventing the red-and-white from scoring early as it did in the previous matchup.
Though junior right-handed pitcher Madison Inscoe shut out JMU through the first two innings, she allowed three hits in the third inning, and an error allowed the Dukes to draw first blood with a 1-0 lead.
The Wolfpack couldn’t respond in the next few innings, going three up, three down in both the third and fourth innings. But after stifling JMU in the fifth inning, Tarpey hit an RBI single that brought junior designated hitter Makayla Marbury home, tying the game at 1-1.
The Dukes failed to retaliate in the sixth, opening the door for the Wolfpack. Tori Ensley opened the bottom half of the frame with a single. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, older sister and senior right fielder Taylor Ensley crushed her second homer of the season that sent both sisters home and gave the Wolfpack a 3-1 lead.
Inscoe forced three flyouts in the top of the seventh to secure the 3-1 victory for NC State and end the Black and Gold Classic on a high note.
Next up, the Pack travels to Boca Raton, Florida for the Joan Joyce Classic hosted by FAU, where it will open with a doubleheader against Purdue and Dartmouth on Friday.
