After NC State softball got its first ranked win since 2021 over then-No. 9 Clemson on March 2, the Pack repeated history and got its second ranked win of the season while defeating another team from the Palmetto State.
The Wolfpack (18-9) took on No. 23 South Carolina (21-7) in the last matchup of the Garnet and Black Invitational, shutting out the Gamecocks 4-0 through seven innings. NC State’s defense was in full force to get the team’s third shutout of the season so far, with the fielders tallying eight outs of their own.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Madison Inscoe got the start in the circle for the Wolfpack and pitched for all seven innings. While only tallying one strikeout, the Virginia native did not walk a single batter throughout the game, which became her eighth win of the season. To back her up, the Wolfpack fielders made crucial plays, catching fly balls and grounding out runners throughout every inning.
The Pack got on the board early on, taking a 1-0 lead by the end of the first inning. Sophomore shortstop MaKayla Marbury was first up to bat for the Wolfpack and quickly got on base with a walk. So far this season Marbury holds an on-base percentage of .416, one of the best on the team. After her, junior right fielder Taylor Ensley and sophomore catcher Amanda Hasley were walked to load the bases without any outs.
Redshirt sophomore first baseman Michele Tarpey starred for the Pack and brought home the Wolfpack’s first run of the game. Tarpey put up a sacrifice pop fly to send Marbury home and secure a 1-0 lead. The next two batters in the Pack batting order struck out swinging, leaving two runners in scoring position on base.
The second and third innings were uneventful for both dugouts, with both defenses playing lights-out. In the fourth inning the Pack got its first three up, three down of the matchup and protected its slim lead.
It wasn’t until the top of the seventh inning that the Wolfpack scored again. Senior second baseman Kaylee Lambrecht was walked to start the inning off and then reached third base from a double hit by freshman center fielder Tori Ensley. With two runners looking to make it home, Marbury stepped up to the plate and tallied a hit to send Lambrecht home and Tori Ensley to third base. Up 2-0, the Pack didn’t let its feet off the gas pedal.
Hasler took a hit by a pitch to advance to first, but was able to make it to second with a hit from Tarpey. Marbury and Tori Ensley were able to make it to home plate on this play, bringing the final score to 4-0.
With two ranked wins under its belt, the Wolfpack hopes to take this good fortune into ACC play. The Pack will travel to South Bend, Indiana, to play Notre Dame from Friday, March 22, to Sunday, March 24, for an ACC series.
