NC State softball reaches the midpoint of its seven-game road trip with Wednesday’s afternoon matchup against Elon. Looking to get back above .500 on the road, the Wolfpack (23-20, 4-11 ACC) will try to take advantage of the offensively-challenged Phoenix (23-16-1, 7-5 CAA).
Elon’s offense ranks third-worst in its conference in runs and 138th in the nation with 4.46 runs scored per game. The team is led by the two-time CAA rookie of the week catcher Megan White at the plate.
White is the only player on the team batting above .300 and is tied for second with three home runs on the year. Third baseman Ally Repko leads the team with a 1.016 OPS to go with four homers this season.
Things are better for the Phoenix on the pitching side. The team is third in the Colonial Athletic Conference with 3.62 earned runs per game and opposing teams only bat at an average of .283.
Elon’s ace is righty pitcher Abby Barker. Barker is 14-6 on the year with a 2.48 ERA. Behind her are two pitchers with ERAs in the fours, Kenna Quinn and Hailey Jomp. The duo is a combined 7-6 in the year.
On the mound for NC State, freshman right-handed pitcher Sydney Nester has continued her solid year with another win during NC State’s trip to Notre Dame. Nester has improved to 12-5 on the year with a 2.90 ERA.
NC State’s offense is dependent on extra-base hits, and junior utility player Brigette Nordberg and sophomore infielder Logan Morris provide those in spades. The duo’s 22 home runs almost outpaces the entire Elon Phoenix lineup, and the Wolfpack will need the two to add to that tally come Wednesday.
The game is set for a 4:30 p.m. start at Hunt Softball Park.
