NC State softball sweeps doubleheader against Presbyterian

NC State softball took on another non-conference opponent this weekend with a doubleheader against Presbyterian in Raleigh.

The Wolfpack (25-20) didn’t just sweep the Blue Hose (14-31), it shut them out completely. Winning both games 10-0 and 9-0, respectively, the red-and-white was on fire all afternoon.

Game One

The Pack got started early on defense and was a threat the whole afternoon. Presbyterian only made it through four batters at the top of the first inning before the Wolfpack was on the offensive side of the field, and just like the defense, NC State’s offense wasted no time. A single from sophomore shortstop MaKayla Marbury and a walk on junior right fielder Taylor Ensley had the Wolfpack in scoring position early. Junior third baseman Hannah Goodwin brought both players home on a single, giving NC State an early 2-0 lead.

Just one batter later, the Pack earned another two runs from a single courtesy of senior second baseman Kaylee Lambrecht. Up 4-0 heading into the second frame, it was clear the Wolfpack had no intention of stopping.

Starting in the pitching circle for the Wolfpack was sophomore right-handed pitcher Rylee Wyman, who pitched all five innings for the Pack. She tallied five strikeouts in four innings throughout the afternoon and finished her time on the mound with six total Ks.

NC State continued its offensive dominance through the second inning, earning three runs off two hits. Sophomore catcher Amanda Hasler led off with an RBI to usher in sophomore pinch runner Nadia Sykes and send sophomore designated hitter Madison Inscoe to third base. Goodwin brought Inscoe home to score soon after and Hasler earned the third run on the inning a few pitches later.

The Pack went quiet offensively through the third and fourth innings but still played lockdown defense to keep the Blue Hose from scoring. The fifth and final inning saw three more runs from the red-and-white, all courtesy of a home run from Hasler. Her 13th home run of the season ended the game early 10-0.

Game Two

Just 30 minutes later, the second game of the afternoon kicked off and once again the Pack shut the Blue Hoses out. Despite a slow start in the batter’s box, an electric third inning helped the Wolfpack get out on top.

Taylor Ensley scored the first run for the Wolfpack in the bottom of the first off a hit from sophomore center fielder Ellie Goins, but Goins was thrown out stealing second base immediately after. Unable to build momentum at the plate, the Pack took to the field to get its game going. A quick three up, three down at the top of the second and a strong fielding presence in the third helped NC State stay in a position to win.

The bottom of the third showcased the true offensive abilities of the red-and-white: NC State earned five runs in the inning and took a dominating 6-0 lead. Marbury quickly got on base with a single and stole second base soon after; Hasler brought her in with a single. In the next at-bat, Goins brought Hasler across home plate with a double of her own, pushing NC State up 3-0.

The highlight of the inning was back-to-back home runs from freshman designated hitter Katie Raper and redshirt sophomore first baseman Michele Tarpey. With two RBIs and one RBI on their respective hits, the girls helped extend the Wolfpack’s lead.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Kayla Fekel got the start in the circle for the red-and-white and was able to knock down three strikeouts in three innings. Head coach Lindsay Leftwich decided to put another freshman right-handed pitcher in during the fourth inning, sending Carly Maxton to the circle. Maxton set a new career-high strikeouts with four throughout her time on the mound.

NC State got another wave of offensive energy in the fourth inning, scoring three more runs to bring the final score to 9-0. Hasler rocketed off another homerun to bring in two RBIs and the final run of the game.

Because the series finale has been canceled and not rescheduled due to inclement weather, the Wolfpack will stay in Raleigh for another non-conference doubleheader against North Carolina Central on Wednesday, April 24. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.