NC State softball bounces back with midweek win over ECU in nine-inning thriller

Daniel Susann, Assistant Sports Editor • Apr 10, 2026

Freshman infielder Carly Short, sophomore infielder Kendall Simmers and senior outfielder Gabi Wilson celebrate after the game against Queens in Dail Softball Stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. The Wolfpack defeated the Royals 10-0 in five innings.

After getting handed a trio of losses to a rival over the weekend by UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State softball bounced back with a rivalry win over the ECU Pirates.

The Pack (22-17) has struggled all year in late-game scenarios, having fallen apart in the final moments in numerous contests. That was not the case against East Carolina (24-18), as the pitching staff, defense and bats came through to put the Pack past the Pirates in nine innings, 5-2.

The momentum swung in the Wolfpack’s favor in the bottom of the eighth with the game tied at two. Freshman two-way star Morgen Talley took the circle in relief of redshirt junior Wynne Gore with two outs and a runner on second. Talley immediately gave up an infield single on the first pitch. But with the game-winning runner on third, she fought through an eight-pitch at-bat to strike out the batter and give the Pack another chance at the plate.

NC State ran with that chance as Talley smacked a single and reached third on a pair of mishandled pitches. Fellow freshman, shortstop Carly Short brought Talley home as well as senior right fielder MaKayla Marbury who had reached on a walk — winning the game for the Wolfpack.

Overall, the underclassmen were a formidable force in Greenville. Sophomore first baseman Taryn Massey got the scoring started for the Wolfpack with a solo homer. In the sixth, Talley recorded an RBI-groundout to tie the game at two, as the Pack was trailing in the back half of the game. After the game-winning RBI from Short, freshman third baseman Lily Livingston added an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a sac-fly.

The underclassmen were a force, but the veteran part of the pitching staff held its own. Senior right-hander Rylee Wyman pitched a solid four innings, giving up two unearned runs on errors by Livingston at third base. Wyman only gave up two hits and three walks.

Soon, Gore took her spot in the circle, giving up no runs in 3.2 innings. She did give up four hits, but only gave up one other baserunner, helping the Pack pick up a solid win versus a team with an RPI of 89.

Next up, NC State will play a series versus Cal in Raleigh April 10-12. First pitch for Game 1 on Friday is set for 7 p.m.