One day after going 0-2 against Missouri and Iowa, NC State softball returned to the diamond, seeking out its first win of the season. The first matchup against Missouri State saw the Pack win 4-3, powered by an early offensive start. The red-and-white dropped its second game of the day in a 7-2 loss to Western Kentucky.

NC State 4, Missouri State 3

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Madison Inscoe took to the mound for the Pack (1-3) and threw a solid 6.1 innings before handing it off to redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Aisha Weixlmann, who secured her first win of the 2024 season. 

Pitching for the first five innings, Inscoe tallied three hits and three runs but also flamed five strikeouts. Missouri State (1-4) struggled early on to get any momentum going, especially after two quick three-up, three-down visits to the mound by Inscoe. 

NC State was first to get on the scoreboard during the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore center fielder Ellie Goins hit a single up the left field line to advance to first. Right after her, sophomore shortstop MaKayla Marbury bunted to put runners on first and second. Both Goins and Marbury were able to advance off of a wild pitch from Bears pitcher Makenzi Swick, advancing them into scoring position. Inscoe hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Goins while right fielder Taylor Ensley doubled to center field and drove Marbury in.

Heading into the third inning up 2-0, NC State was hoping for another three quick outs to go back on offense. However, Missouri State’s first baseman Chloe Merced launched a home run over center field, cutting it to a 2-1 game. The Pack responded with a run of its own, courtesy of a Goins RBI-single. 

Both teams went scoreless throughout the fourth and fifth innings, but the runs picked back up in the sixth. Missouri State recorded two runs off of two hits in the top of the inning to even the game at three apiece, causing Inscoe to be relieved by Weixlmann

NC State earned its game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth, closing the game out at 4-3 in favor of the red-and-white. Taylor Enlsey singled up the middle and sent sophomore pinch runner Nadia Stokes to first base. Senior second baseman Kaylee Lambrechet stepped up to the plate and delivered a double to right field, sending Stokes home and securing NC State’s first win of the season. 

Western Kentucky 7, NC State 2

The second game of the day saw the Pack take on Western Kentucky (3-1) who immediately jumped into action during the first inning. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Rylee Wyman got the start for the matchup, but was quickly pulled one out into the first inning and replaced by freshman right-handed pitcher Carly Maxton.

The Hilltopers dominated offensively in the top of the first, scoring six runs off of five hits. Poor defense early on allowed Western Kentucky players to get on base and run up the score early. Shortstop TJ Webster brought in two RBIs for the last scoring play of the inning, bringing the Hilltopers up to 6-0. 

NC State did not respond well in the batter’s box. It took five quick plays to get the Pack back on defense, even though the red-and-white was able to get a few players on base in that short period of time. Western Kentucky scored one more run in the third inning, but after that, the Pack defense was lights-out. 

NC State finally got on the board during the third inning. Sophomore catcher Amanda Hasler reached first base off of a fielding error from Western Kentucky, setting up another opportunity for NC State. Goins was up to bat next, doubling to right field and sending Hasler home.

Defense was a big component to the Pack’s ability to shut out the Hilltopers’ offense for the last five innings. The third and seventh inning were quick three-up, three-down plays while Weixlmann pitched for a large majority of the game. NC State’s second and final run came in the sixth inning from redshirt sophomore first baseman Michele Tarpey. The North Carolina native hit her first homerun since 2022 and brought the final score to 7-2. 

The Pack will stay in Clearwater, Florida at the NFCA Leadoff Classic for one more game, taking on St. John’s on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m.