NC State Softball (3-6) lost its matchup against Wisconsin (8-1) this Sunday at Dail Stadium by a score of 6-3.
Initially a pitchers’ duel, the game did not see its first hit until a double by Wisconsin’s Jolie Fish in the top of the second inning.
The scoring opened in the top of the third with a barrage of offense by the Badgers.
After having a smooth-sailing first two innings, NC State’s starter on the mound, junior pitcher Devin Wallace, gave up a leadoff walk to begin the third. This was immediately followed by a single, putting runners on first and second base. Then, a wild pitch by Wallace advanced the two Badgers on base to second and third, increasing the scoring threat.
Wallace looked to be in the clear when she retired the next two batters via strikeout, but Wisconsin catcher Melanie Cross begged to differ by sending a ball directly over the fence in straightaway center.
The Wolfpack failed to respond immediately in the bottom of the third, but it eventually did retaliate with a three-run inning.
This began with a single by sophomore left fielder Sam Russ in the bottom of the fourth; Russ made it all the way home on the next at-bat thanks to a stand-up double by sophomore third baseman Logan Morris.
Junior right fielder Brigette Nordberg, at the plate representing the tying run, was also looking to drive in some runs to even the score. Nordberg delivered a no-doubt home run in that at-bat, tying the score at three.
The fourth inning would not end the offensive action, however; as the Badgers struck back immediately in the top of the fifth.
Wallace gave up another leadoff walk to start the fifth inning, and after surrendering a double in the next at-bat, head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift decided to end Wallace’s day.
Enter freshman relief pitcher Sydney Nester, who would carry the pitching duties for the Pack until the end of the game.
Despite sporting a new player on the mound, the Wolfpack failed to stop the bleeding in the fifth inning.
Another Wisconsin hit, accompanied by a mishandled ball by Russ in left field, allowed the two baserunners left over from Wallace’s stint to score, putting the Badgers up 5-3.
More hits by Wisconsin would put the Badgers up 6-3 by the middle of the fifth inning. The Badgers also showcased clever small-ball play, utilizing three pinch-runners, a pinch-hitter, and a sacrifice bunt in their offensive half of the fifth.
This scoreline of 6-3 would remain through to the game’s end. Despite that being the end of the scoring, there was certainly no lack of excitement down the stretch.
The Wolfpack began to rally in the bottom of the sixth, starting with Russ being hit by a pitch. After Morris grounded into a fielder’s choice, making the situation consist of a runner on first with one out, Nordberg grounded into another fielder’s choice which featured a Wisconsin error, allowing both runners to stay safe on first and second base.
The peak of this rally was when junior designated player Skylar Johnston sent a ground ball through the left side of the infield, and Morris ambitiously rounded third looking to score. A spot-on throw by Wisconsin left fielder Kelli Welsh would nab Morris at the plate.
After a walk by Badgers relief pitcher Kaitlyn Menz put junior center fielder Angie Rizzi on first to load the bases, sophomore first baseman Randi Farricker flew out to center field to end what would be the Wolfpack’s last scoring chance.
Menz recorded a save in the outing, while NC State’s Wallace was charged with the loss.
Wolfpack softball travels on the road this Wednesday to face the Elon Phoenix. First pitch will be at 4 p.m. at Hunt Softball Park in Elon.
Sophomore left fielder Sam Russ catches a fly ball on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019 at Dail Softball Stadium. Russ went 1-2 with one run scored as NC State lost to Wisconsin 6-3.
