NC State softball resumed its ACC conference schedule with a weekend series against Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Wolfpack (23-20, 3-14 ACC) continued its in-conference struggles, failing to take the series against the Cavaliers (28-13, 11-7 ACC).

Game one

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Rylee Wyman started in the pitching circle for the red-and-white, holding the Cavaliers hitless in the first inning.

After NC State failed to get a hit in the top of the second inning, Virginia drew first blood, fueled by a triple to right field and an RBI single, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead at the end of the second.

The offensive struggles continued in the third frame for the Wolfpack as it struck out three times to continue the scoring drought. Wyman opened the bottom of the third inning with two straight outs, but the Cavaliers fought back, getting runners on first and third base. With its back against the wall, the Pack forced a final out, leaving two runners on base.

At the top of the fifth inning, the Wolfpack seemed to have found its rhythm on offense. A single from sophomore center fielder Ellie Goins and a walk at the next at-bat put runners on first and second base with zero outs. A sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, putting the Pack in scoring position. However, Virginia rallied, forcing two outs to continue its shut out of NC State. Wyman sent the Cavaliers three up, three down to end the fifth inning.

Any momentum from the Pack’s near-scoring effort in the previous inning disappeared as the Wolfpack failed to get a runner past first base in the sixth. The Cavaliers scored their second run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, extending their lead to 2-0.

Any hopes of a seventh-inning comeback were quickly squashed as the Pack fittingly went three up, three down to close out the game.

Game two

It seemed like the Pack’s offensive struggles would continue in game two when it recorded just one hit in the top of the first inning. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Madison Inscoe began in the pitching circle for the Wolfpack, but quickly found her back against the wall when the Cavaliers put runners on first and third base with just one out. However, Inscoe forced two quick outs to save the inning and hold Virginia scoreless.

NC State eventually got on the board in the second inning. A fielding error and a single from Goins put runners on first and second base with zero outs. Inscoe then doubled to bring both runners home and give the Wolfpack a lead for the first time in the series.

Senior second baseman Kaylee Lambrecht reached first base on a fielder’s choice, and an error allowed Inscoe to advance to third. Back-to-back outs jeopardized the scoring opportunity, but junior right fielder Taylor Ensley hit a single to bring Inscoe and Lambrecht home.

Inscoe initially faltered in the bottom of the second, loading the bases before getting an out. A sacrifice fly put the Cavaliers on the board, but the Pack closed the inning before any more damage was done, holding a 4-1 lead.

The Wolfpack recorded just one hit in the third inning, opening the door for the Cavaliers to close the gap. After the first two batters got on base, Inscoe was replaced by redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Aisha Weixlmann. Virginia hit back-to-back sacrifice flies to advance the runners and score a run, closing the inning in a 4-2 deficit.

Much like the previous inning, the Wolfpack recorded one hit in the fourth frame, again allowing the Cavaliers to close the gap. Inscoe returned to replace Weixlmann and forced two outs, although an earlier walk put a runner on base. The Cavaliers blasted a home run to left center, tying the game 4-4.

The Wolfpack resumed its offensive attack in the fifth inning. After back-to-back walks, junior third baseman Hannah Goodwin hit a single that allowed a runner to score. The next at-bat, Goins hit a single that brought both runners home, tallying three runs for the Wolfpack. Virginia loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth with one out remaining. A double scored two runs for the Cavaliers. The explosive inning resulted in a score of 7-6 in favor of the Wolfpack.

In the sixth inning, Taylor Ensley hit her 10th home run of the season to center field. After a walk put a runner on base, sophomore catcher AmandaHasler followed with her 11th home run of the season, scoring another two runs.

The Cavaliers scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it proved to be too little, too late as the Pack forced a final out before they could tie the game, setting up a rubber match on Sunday.

Game three

With the series tied at 1-1, both teams had much to play for in game three. Wyman started in the circle for the Wolfpack and pitched a complete game.

The Wolfpack drew first blood in the third inning. After a walk to open the inning, Taylor Ensley hit a deep triple to right field, allowing the runner on first to score. Inscoe followed with a sacrifice fly, allowing Taylor Ensley to reach home.

The fifth inning proved to be the difference-maker for the Cavaliers, who hit a home run to make their first appearance on the scoreboard. A triple and sacrifice fly tied the game at 2-2 with two innings left.

Both teams went three up, three down in the sixth inning, and the Wolfpack repeated the same in the seventh inning, opening the door for the Cavaliers to walk it off in the seventh.

After a hit by pitch put a runner on first base, a bunt brought the runner to third with zero outs, and a sacrifice fly allowed the Cavaliers to walk it off with a 3-2 win.

NC State returns to Raleigh to host Presbyterian on Saturday, April 20. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m.