N.C. State softball (13-12, 1-2 ACC) split a doubleheader with ACC opponent Florida State (15-14, 2-1 ACC) Saturday afternoon winning the second competition by a score of 4-2, but dropping the first 3-2. Sunday afternoon at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium, the Wolfpack were back in action against FSU in the finale of the three-game series, only to be defeated 7-2.
Senior Alyssa Ishibashi was prepared for the noon game on Sunday after coming off the second game win Saturday afternoon.
We were very confident about today and we were ready to go, Ishibashi said. It showed obviously in the first inning both defensively and offensively.
The first inning of third game on Sunday, senior Alyssa Allbritten walked to first before scampering home after a triple by senior Bridget Desbois. Debois also went on the score because of a Seminole error.
The Pack maintained the lead until fifth inning where FSU player Robin Ahrberg hit a homerun to put the Seminoles one behind N.C. State. In the sixth inning, Ashley Stager hit her fifth homerun of the season to tie the score 2-2.
But Florida State would score five runs in the top of the seventh inning to capture the win from freshman pitcher Kayla Cox who struck out six FSU batters throughout the game, but gave up four earned runs.
Coach Lisa Navas held a belief that the Wolfpack had a chance to come back to the Seminoles.
We just have to answer back and get some runners on and Chelsea Tate who was patient and did a good job, got on base, Navas said. We were starting to put something together but we just needed timely hits to start scoring some runs.
In the first game of the double-header State fell 3-2, Cox received the starting nod at pitcher en route to striking out 11 Florida State players in the game but giving up three runs.
In the second contest, junior Morgan Peeler started as pitcher for the Wolfpack where she struck out three for the victory and only let in two runs by the Seminoles.
Cox again earned the start in the circle for the third game in the series, but after surrendering three home runs in 6.1 innings Morgan Peeler took over to finish the game.
However coach Navas encouraged her players not to give up, and continue playing until the end because anything could happen.
It’s anyone’s game until three outs and until the umpire calls ballgame, Navas said.
N.C. State will be back in action on Wednesday against UNC Greensboro with a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. on Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium.
