NC State softball continued its win streak, defeating Appalachian State 6-2 in the final game of the Wolfpack Classic.

The Wolfpack (12-3) trailed for most of the game. A slow offensive start from the red-and-white gave the Mountaineers (7-5) the advantage, but the Wolfpack adjusted and rallied to earn its 11th-straight win in front of a sold-out crowd at Dail Softball Stadium.

“You saw them fight and come from behind for the first time this year, and I think that’s a huge learning moment,” said head coach Lindsay Leftwich. “Being able to be at home in front of a packed stadium, I think that makes them want to play harder and faster. The fan support does a ton for us.”

App State put up a tremendous fight, but the Wolfpack eventually found its rhythm late in the game, creating a gap that put the game out of reach for the Mountaineers.

“Once they figured out what the strike zone was going to be, they made the decision to really be aggressive in the right space,” Leftwich said. “It worked out.”

The Mountaineers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, thanks to a Wolfpack error that took a runner from first base to third base and eventually home due to an RBI single. The Pack failed to retaliate with the first three batters getting out, ending the first inning down one.

The second inning was three up, three down for App State, while the Wolfpack managed to get two runners on base but couldn’t take advantage due to back-to-back strikeouts from Mountaineer right-handed pitcher Sejal Neas. The third inning brought more of the same, with neither team able to make a play, resulting in another scoreless inning.

In the fourth inning, the Pack slowly returned to the type of play Wolfpack fans have gotten used to seeing over the past 10 games. With runners on second and third with zero outs, sophomore center fielder Ellie Goins took to the plate and answered the call for the red-and-white. She reached first base on a fielder’s choice, allowing sophomore pinch runner Nadia Sykes to make a play for home plate. Though originally called an out, a review from the officials reversed the call, to put the Wolfpack on the board, closing out the inning tied at 1-1.

The Mountaineers quickly reclaimed the lead in the fifth, scoring off an RBI single. With the game reaching a critical point, coach Leftwich made the call to bring in redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Aisha Weixlmann, who struck out the Mountaineer’s designated hitter before any more damage was done.

Once again playing from behind, the Wolfpack needed to quickly respond to remain in the game. That’s when sophomore catcher Amanda Hasler stepped up. With her back against the wall on a full count, Hasler sent a rocket to right field, tying the game and reinvigorating NC State and its home crowd.

“It was probably one of the most exciting moments I’ve had this season,” Hasler said. “Having my teammates in the dugout cheering for me, I knew I wanted to do anything for my team.”

The Pack built off this momentum, striking out two Mountaineer batters on the way to a sixth-inning shutout. For seemingly the first time all game, the Wolfpack had a chance to take the lead and took full advantage of the opportunity. After a walk and stolen base from Goins, senior second baseman Kaylee Lambrecht found the gap in the defense, sending a double that brought Goins home and gave the Wolfpack its first lead.

A few batters later, Hasler found herself at the plate with the bases loaded. She blasted the ball deep to left field, driving Lambrecht home and further increasing the lead for the Pack.

With runners on second and third, junior right fielder Taylor Ensley hammered a double into right field that allowed both runners to score. This late offensive eruption resulted in a 6-2 Wolfpack lead at the end of the sixth inning.

Weixlmann handled business in the seventh inning and didn’t even give the Mountaineers a chance, throwing pitches that resulted in a strikeout and two fielding outs. The momentum built from the home run ignited a spark in the team that took over the game.

The impressive win capped off a 10-game home stint for the Wolfpack, with the team going undefeated in front of its fans.

“Our fans are the best,” Hasler said. “This atmosphere and our fans are awesome.”

NC State will now hit the road, starting with East Carolina on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. It then travels to face Clemson in a three-game series beginning on Friday, March 1 at 6 p.m.