Inter-conference series wins are never easy and have been hard to come by for NC State softball. But over the weekend, the Pack (25-17, 6-8 ACC) secured its second ACC-series victory, sweeping California (13-30, 3-15 ACC) behind a rain of fire from the batter’s box and double-digit hits in each game.
Game 1: NC State 14, California 8
Game 1 will simply go down in the history books as “The Morgen Talley Game.” The freshman utility player has become one of the most dynamic threats in college softball and has proved as such.
From the pitching circle, Talley threw four innings, gave up three earned runs, and recorded five strikeouts — by all means decent, but nothing that particularly stood out.
On the other side of the ball, in the batter’s box, Talley was an unstoppable force, recording three hits in her five at-bats, including a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning. By the time it was all said and done, Talley recorded a career-high seven RBIs, tying the single-game program record and becoming the first Pack freshman to put up such numbers.
Talley simply opened the floodgates for NC State, which had five different players with multiple hits, staving off California’s eight runs.
Game 2: NC State 5, California 4
Game 2 appeared much more cut and dry than the first as the Pack commanded the lead early behind freshman third baseman Lily Livingston’s two-run homer in the top of the first inning, and only furthered its lead with Livingston’s sacrifice fly in the third.
Though California responded in the fourth with an RBI single, NC State added two runs throughout the next two innings to pad its lead.
By the time the seventh inning rolled around, it looked as though the game was already over as senior righty Rylee Wyman had dominated from the pitching circle, allowing just one run.
The Golden Bears fought back, stringing together a solo home run and a two-RBI double in the top of the seventh to make it a one-run game.
With the tying run in scoring position, Talley entered the game to lead the Pack to victory for the second time in 24 hours, pitching the final two outs to secure the nailbiting win.
Game 3: NC State 10, California 9
Game 3 was the perfect mix of the prior two games. Much like the first matchup, the Pack shot out to an early lead behind a monster first inning, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning.
When California responded with a four-run second inning of its own, Talley fought back with her second grand slam of the series to reclaim a 9-5 lead, and an RBI-walk in the third pushed the lead to five.
But, much like the second game, NC State left the door open. A two-run sixth inning from the Golden Bears cut the lead to three, and a two-run homer in the seventh made it a one-run ball game.
Luckily for the Pack, Talley continued her heroics for the third-straight game, recording the final outs to secure the sweep.
Next up, NC State travels to the West Coast for a weekend series against No. 19 Stanford, beginning on Friday, April 17. First pitch is set for 9 p.m.
