Taking a break from ACC play, NC State softball headed down to Columbia, South Carolina, for a weekend series against multiple teams. To kick off the Garnet & Black Invitational, the Wolfpack took on Northwestern and earned its second win of the week.
The Pack (16-8,1-5 ACC) has shown dominance in non-conference play, extending its record to 15-3 when playing out of conference. This win marked the 610th in program history. Northwestern (8-7) has been pretty even so far this season but failed to get past the lock-down Wolfpack defense.
With its second consecutive shutout and third overall of the season, the Pack’s defense was on fire throughout the matchup. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Madison Inscoe started in the circle for the red-and-white and pitched all seven innings, allowing only three hits and recording eight strikeouts. Her stint at the mound was her first collegiate shutout and just one pitch shy of her career-high in strikeouts.
Both teams struggled to gain any momentum during the first two innings; the Wildcats were quickly sent back to the field on defense during their plate appearances. It wasn’t until the bottom of the third inning that the Pack got the first and only run of the game.
Sophomore catcher Amanda Hasler stepped up to the plate to take on Northwestern pitcher Ashley Miller for the first at-bat at the bottom of the third inning. Launching a rocket to center field, Halser rounded the bases on her eighth home run of the season — bringing her career number of homers to 17.
The Wildcats had an opportunity to take the lead from the Wolfpack at the top of the fourth, but Inscoe shut it down in style. With bases loaded and two outs, the Virginia native caught first baseman Ainsley Muno looking on the third strike to get the Pack back on track.
Despite having solid defense all game, the red-and-white’s offense was a crutch all morning. Out of the seven innings, NC State went three up and three down in four of them, and it tallied just a single hit. It was just some good old-fashioned luck on the Pack’s side helping elevate them over the Wildcats in the moments that mattered. Northwestern had seven strikeouts against them by the end of the match, with five of them being swings and misses.
NC State will stay in Columbia for two more days in the invitational, including a double header on Saturday, March 16. Starting at 12:30 p.m., the Wolfpack will take on Michigan State and then play Minnesota at 3 p.m. to round out play on Saturday.
