NC State softball was dealt the final blow of a sweep in its third and final game against Georgia Tech. The weekend started with the Pack going 0-2 in a doubleheader a few days prior, and the team could not rebound against the Yellow Jackets to finish the series, falling 10-2.
The Wolfpack (14-8, 1-5) fought hard on Friday, March 8, despite losing both games that day, but the diamond saw a completely different team taking on Georgia Tech (18-7, 6-0) on Sunday. Two multiple-run innings from the Yellow Jackets handed the Pack its fifth loss in a row in ACC play.
NC State started off on a strong note, taking a 2-1 lead at the end of the first innings. To start for the Wolfpack in the pitching circle was redshirt senior Aisha Weixlmann who stayed in for 2.1 innings before being replaced. Weixlmann stepped on the mound to start the first inning and quickly sent a Yellowjacket runner to first on a walk. That runner would eventually make it to home plate on a double two batters down the lineup.
The red-and-white quickly responded to this 1-0 deficit at the bottom of the first. Redshirt sophomore first baseman Michele Tarpey was walked by pitcher Sophia Voyles and didn’t have to wait long before making it home. Junior right fielder Taylor Enlsey stepped up to the plate immediately after the walk and rattled off a home run to left field. Heading into the second inning up 2-1, things were looking bright for the Wolfack.
That momentum didn’t last long though. Georgia Tech came out swinging at the top of the second, quickly racking up two runs on the fifth at-bat of the inning. Immediately after, two more runs came into home plate and gave the Yellowjackets the lead back at 5-2. NC State could not respond and was held scoreless for the rest of the matchup.
NC State and Georgia Tech both were held scoreless throughout the third inning, with both defenses making quick plays at catching pop flies. It was in the fourth inning where things fell apart for the Wolfpack — the Yellowjackets scored five runs throughout their time at the plate.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Madison Inscoe took over at the mound for the Wolfpack during the third inning, but was replaced by sophomore right handed pitcher Rylee Wymann at the end of the fourth. Inscoe allowed the five runs off of three hits and had zero strikeouts, bringing the Georgia Tech lead to 10-2.
NC State will have a break in ACC play this week, taking on George Mason on Tuesday, March 12 at Dial Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
