Coming off a double-header sweep of UNC-Charlotte on Wednesday, the N.C. State softball team (17-17 overall, 1-7 ACC) looks to continue its winning streak as it takes on UNC-Chapel Hill in the annual Kay Yow Pink Game tomorrow at 1 p.m.
With the two wins over Charlotte, the Wolfpack secured a milestone for coach Lisa Navas – her 600th career victory. Senior second baseman Alyssa Ishibashi said it was great to be apart of such a special moment.
“It was great to be a part of her 600th win,” Ishibashi said. “I’ve always wanted to be a part of something special, so I could leave my mark and help my coach out in the process.”
State hopes that between the past two days of practice, and pure dedication and determination, the team will be able to overcome the anxiety of the rivalry and come away with the win as junior Toni Ann Willaford put it.
“I definitely feel that we are prepared for the Tar Heels,” Willaford said. “We played them last year and won the series, so I feel like we know what to expect from them this year.”
When asked if there were any key factors that would contribute to the team’s success this weekend, senior catcher Alyssa Allbritten said that it comes down to how badly the players want to win.
“UNC is a little different than the other teams we have played,” Allbritten said. “It’s a dogfight on both sides and basically comes down to who wants it more.”
Allbritten, who sports a team-high batting average of .358, feels like her success stems from time and effort put in both on and off the field.
“It makes me feel good to know I have a strong batting average,” Allbritten said. “I have put a lot of time and effort throughout the season, and seeing those numbers makes me feel accomplished.”
The Wolfpack will need every hit it can muster, as the team faces star freshman pitcher from UNC, Lori Spingola. With over 178 innings pitched, she boasts an impressive 1.69 ERA and 179 strikeouts.
With mostly underclassmen on the team, only a few players actually know what it is like to play the Tar Heels. Albritten admitted that the team’s in-state rival swings the bats well and also have good team speed.
“They are a hard hitting team for sure,” Allbritten said. “The have a couple of fast kids, and they will definitely come out swinging.”
In remembrance of former women’s basketball coach Kay Yow, who lost a battle with breast cancer in early 2009, two of the three games played this weekend will be entitled “Kay Yow Pink Game.”
With the Kay Yow Pink Game doubleheader being played at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium, Willaford feels it will give the players motivation to play faster.
“It definitely gives a little more motivation to play better,” Willaford said. “In the back of your mind you think some people will never have this chance. We just want to do good for both our team and Kay Yow.”
