The NC State softball team went one of three against No. 8 Florida State in a three-game series at Dail Softball Stadium this weekend.
After dropping a close opener, 6-5, the Wolfpack’s (22-15, 7-5 ACC) pitching struggled in game two as the Seminoles (33-9, 13-2 ACC) cruised to a 10-1 victory. The Pack rebounded, though, as the NC State batting order caught fire on Sunday to cruise past FSU with a 9-4 victory in the series finale, notching the team’s first win against a top-10 opponent this season.
In game one, Wolfpack senior pitcher Emily Weiman (17-10, 2.67 ERA) got off to her usual strong start, allowing only one hit while striking out three batters in the first two innings. In the third inning, Weiman began working her way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam when an error by junior first baseman Maggie Hawkins scored FSU’s first run, followed by a two-RBI single, giving FSU a 3-0 lead.
After the Seminoles added another run in the fourth inning, the Wolfpack began to rally, loading the bases with only one out. Following an RBI walk, senior shortstop Renada Davis stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam over the left field wall, giving the Wolfpack a 5-4 lead.
FSU would regain the lead in the fifth inning, when Wolfpack sophomore pitcher Courtney Mirabella walked back-to-back batters with the bases loaded, giving the Seminoles a 6-5 lead that the team would not surrender.
Game two started well for the Wolfpack, as sophomore left fielder Tyler Ross cranked an RBI single to center field, driving home junior third baseman Lana Van Dyken for an early 1-0 Wolfpack lead.
Once again, Weiman started off the outing strong, allowing only one hit until the third inning when the Seminole bats began to catch fire. With a runner on second, FSU freshman third baseman Jessica Warren hit an RBI single to center field, tying the game at one run.
Later in the inning, sophomore first baseman Alex Powers gave the Seminoles the lead when she drove a double down the right field line, scoring two runners to put FSU on top 3-1.
The damage continued in the fourth inning as the Seminoles registered five hits and scored four runs — including a two-run home run — to give them a commanding 7-1 lead.
NC State’s offense was unable to keep up with the ‘Noles, only adding three hits against FSU redshirt sophomore pitcher Jessica Burroughs (12-5, 2.78 ERA).
FSU continued its offensive onslaught in the sixth inning, scoring three more runs on two hits to defeat the Wolfpack 10-1.
The Wolfpack offense finally came to life Saturday in the series finale.
NC State wasted no time to get going, grabbing an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Ross hit an RBI single and advanced to second base on a throwing error by the FSU first baseman.
The Seminoles responded in the second inning. With two runners on base, Warren blasted Weiman’s pitch over the left field wall, giving FSU a 3-1 advantage.
Following a third inning leadoff single from NC State freshman second baseman Alyssa Compton, Davis once again stepped up for the Wolfpack in the series, hitting a homer to center field, tying the game at 3-3.
“It feels great to be able to help my team and take some pressure off of our pitching staff,” Davis said. “I’ve been focusing a lot more in the box and really trying to execute my game plan.”
The Seminoles retook the lead in the fifth inning off of a Powers RBI double down the left field line, scoring the runner from first base.
Down by a run, the Wolfpack battled back in the top of the fifth, as the team was determined to avoid the sweep.
Three straight walks loaded the bases for the Pack with just one out. After a fly out, NC State drew another walk, scoring a run and tying the game once again.
With two outs and the bases still juiced, Burroughs hit a clutch grand slam to left center field, giving the Wolfpack an 8-4 lead.
“It felt awesome,” Burroughs said. “It’s always good to do something to help the team. I didn’t want to let my team down, so I just tried to put a good swing on the ball.”
The Wolfpack added another run in the sixth inning to get its lone win of the series against FSU, 9-4.
