Head coach Lindsay Leftwich opened up the 2026 season on familiar ground as NC State softball made its way down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the Tiger Classic hosted by LSU, where Leftwich spent 12 seasons coaching.
Getting off to a good start, the Pack (1-1) defeated Lamar (0-1) 7-1 as it came alive in the second and third innings, tallying a combined six runs in that stretch. But NC State didn’t fare so well against No. 13 LSU (1-0), which came out guns blazing, Al Pacino style, hanging six runs on the Pack in the first two frames, and run-ruling NC State 11-3 in five innings.
Lamar
Opening the contest for the Pack on the home side, standout freshman pitcher Morgen Talley threw five scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and four walks, and tallied six strikeouts. Her prowess on the mound was evident, but that was not her only contribution to the team. Playing both ways, she got the scoring started for the Pack with a solo homer to put it ahead in the second inning. Later in the third, she notched a two-RBI single to keep the offense going.
Following in relief of Talley after she threw pitch No. 102 was redshirt junior pitcher Wynne Gore, who closed out the final two innings. Gore gave up a double and two walks, which led to a single run — not an ideal performance by any means — but she did enough to keep the Pack in front and secure its first win of the season.
Outside of Talley’s efforts, two more runs were scored in the third — both via walks with the bases loaded. In the fourth, junior right fielder Sarah Johnson — a transfer from Gaston College — notched an RBI single of her own.
One game into the season, it was clear that the Pack will be relying on many of its new faces, including the standout Talley.
LSU
Starting on the mound, graduate pitcher Charli Orsini got off to a tough start against an extremely high-powered offense in LSU, which features two players on the 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watchlist. The Tennessee transfer lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up five earned runs on seven hits.
Senior pitcher Rylee Wyman replaced her, but was also unable to stop the LSU offense. Not helping her case, three fielding errors contributed to two more runs for the Tigers as senior catcher Hannah Church made an errant throw, and sophomore second baseman Kendall Simmers and Johnson misplayed balls to keep the Pack heading in the wrong direction.
The Pack got onto the board with a wild pitch in the third inning, but still facing a 9-1 deficit, it was all but over for the Pack. Providing a glimmer of hope, Church sent one to the moon for a solo shot.
On the defensive end, NC State still could not stop the bleeding, allowing two more runs as junior pitcher Kadie Becker gave up two walks and two hits. For the Tigers, another 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watchlist member, star pitcher Jayden Heavener, thwarted the Pack offense with 10 strikeouts, giving up three runs in five innings.
