After a five-game losing streak against Elon, the softball team beat the host Phoenix 8-1 and 2-0 in the two games of a doubleheader on Wednesday.

N.C. State (40-17) scored three runs in the third inning of the first game and two in the fourth to jump to a 5-0 lead it would never relinquish.

Junior pitcher Abbie Sims (19-10) pitched all seven innings of that first game and surrendered only one run on three hits while striking out 10 batters.

Sophomore first baseman Lisa Nentwig hit a solo home run in the sixth inning of the 8-1 victory.

Junior catcher Jennifer Patterson’s RBI double in the third inning of the second game scored junior third baseman Jen Chamberlin to provide all the offense the Wolfpack would need.

Sims added a solo home run for good measure in the fourth inning.

Ervin (14-3) scattered four hits in seven innings to earn the shutout in the 2-0 win.

2006 marks the second straight 40-win season for State.

SOURCE: N.C. STATE ATHLETICS