In the second game of a night doubleheader, the NC State softball team beat Charleston Southern 6-0 at Dail Softball Stadium in its third game of the NC State Invitational.
For the sixth time in her last five games, junior outfielder Brigette Nordberg homered, leading the Wolfpack (10-6) to its seventh win in a row.
NC State threatened early, loading the bases in the first inning with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but the Pack couldn’t get on the board, as senior infielder Natalie Jones (0 for 3, RBI, BB) struck out to end the inning.
Back-to-back two-out walks from junior outfielder Angie Rizzi (0 for 1, two BB, run) and sophomore outfielder Sam Russ (0 for 2, run, two BB) put runners on base for the reigning ACC Co-Player of the Week, Nordberg (1 for 1, HR, three BB, three RBI). The righty slugger took two balls before roping an outside fastball to right field, clearing the fence for a home run, her ninth of the season, to give the Wolfpack a 3-0 lead.
“I’m really not even thinking about softball when I’m hitting,” Nordberg said, laughing. “I’m really just having fun, not thinking about anything.”
Sophomore infielder Logan Morris (1 for 4, two RBIs) added a couple insurance runs for the Pack in the bottom of the fourth inning, ripping a two-out fastball up the middle, scoring Nordberg and Russ, and putting the Pack up 5-0.
Later in the inning, Jones drew a bases-loaded walk, extending the Wolfpack’s lead to 6-0. With the bases loaded and just one out, the Pack had a chance to blow the game open, but a strikeout by redshirt sophomore Randi Farricker (0 for 3, two Ks) and a fly out from freshman catcher Kelli Wagner (0 for 3, K) ended the inning.
Appearing in her first game in almost a week, freshman right-hander Sydney Nester (5-2, 2.13 ERA) picked up the win for the Wolfpack, throwing a complete-game shutout, striking out nine Buccaneers (5-15)batters and allowing just two hits.
“[Nester] did a great job of mixing pitches,” coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift said. “Her off-speed was really working. When that’s on, she’s going to be good.”
After Nordberg’s home run, the Charleston Southern pitchers didn’t give her much to hit, pitching around her the next three at-bats, all walks.
“It’s super aggravating,” Nordberg said in jest. “I really just want to hit … I wish they would throw it down the middle for me.”
Despite scoring six runs, the NC State offense managed just three hits, instead relying on drawing walks to put runners on base. Led by Nordberg’s three walks, the Pack walked 12 times, with Russ, Rizzi, junior infielder Skylar Johnston (0 for 2, run, two BB) and senior designated player Jessica Moore (1 for 2, two BB) all drawing two walks apiece.
“Our mindset is never to go up there looking for a walk,” Russ said. “We’re just looking for our pitch to hit and [the Charleston Southern pitcher] wasn’t throwing it so we’re happy to take the walks.”
The Wolfpack will return to action Sunday at 11:30 a.m. when it takes on Campbell at Dail Softball Stadium in the final game of the NC State Invitational.
