NC State softball’s Easter weekend series versus UNC-Chapel Hill did not go to plan as the Pack fell on Thursday, Good Friday and Saturday in front of three sold-out crowds.
“The whole weekend, [the crowd] was great,” head coach Lindsay Leftwich said. “That’s one thing I’ve learned in my time here is that Wolfpack fans show up, no matter if you’re 0-2 or 20-0, they put themselves here to support our players and it’s really awesome.”
But the lively crowd was not enough to boost the Wolfpack (21-17, 3-8 ACC) in front as NC State went the whole series without holding a lead and couldn’t get to the Tar Heels (28-9, 8-7 ACC) pitching staff when it mattered. The offensive struggles were there despite the fact that the Pack out-hit the Heels in two of the three games, with solid performances at the plate in Game 1 and Game 3, recording nine hits in each. But while the Pack was landing its jabs, it could not find a knockout punch.
Game 1 UNC 9, NC State 6
Freshman two-way player Morgen Talley has been putting up otherworldly numbers throughout her rookie season, but versus the Heels, she looked mortal. Starting in the circle in Game 1, she was pulled after 2.1 innings as she gave up six runs. It unraveled in the top of the third after Talley gave up a bunt single, walked three batters and plunked one with the bases loaded to bring a Tar Heel run home. Senior pitcher Wynne Gore came in but couldn’t keep the dam from breaking as the Heels scored six runs in the third frame.
But the Pack battled back with three runs of its own in the bottom of the third off freshman third baseman Lily Livingston’s two-run triple. Sophomore second baseman Kendall Simmers also chipped away at the deficit with a three-run homer, but it was not enough to get within reach of the fiery Tar Heel offense.
Game 2 UNC 11, NC State 3
Getting the start in the circle for Game 2 was senior Rylee Wyman, and from the jump, things went south. It took four batters for the Pack to record its first out after a leadoff double, single, walk and hit-by-pitch for the Heels. But the real damage was done by a three-run homer from Wolfpack transfer Michele Tarpey, who played for NC State just last year — adding plenty of salt to the wound.
Furthermore, the starting pitcher for UNC was another Wolfpack transfer in Carly Maxton, who was arguably NC State’s best pitcher from last season, recording the most appearances. She put on a solid performance, giving up just two runs. Even so, the Pack recorded five hits on her with two walks and two hit-by-pitches, but couldn’t bring the runs home.
Senior designated player Hannah Church had the best hit of the day for the Pack, bringing in Livingston and Simmers on a two-RBI double.
Game 3 UNC 4, NC State 2
Talley got the start in the circle again and she fared considerably better than in Game 1, giving up three runs in 4.2 innings pitched. But the Pack offense did not provide much support as it wasn’t till the fourth inning that the Pack got on the board. Senior right fielder MaKayla Marbury knocked an RBI single to bring home a run. Then in the fifth, Livingston blooped an RBI-single into shallow center off the glove of the UNC shortstop to bring the deficit to one.
But two homers from the Heels — including another from Tarpy — doomed NC State’s efforts. Wyman made another appearance and looked solid, rebounding from a tough performance in Game 2.
“[Rylee] came in, did exactly what she needed to do,” Leftwich said. “We would like to have that one pitch [to Tarpy] back, but other than that, she missed some barrels and put herself in a position to be successful.”
Still, fighting a two-run deficit, the Pack had a chance with the top of the order up to bat. The red-and-white had runners on second and third with no outs after singles from freshman shortstop Carly Short and Livingston. But the Pack’s four through six batters fell in a row, putting a cap on the series.
“We have to continue to swing confidently and choose confidence,” Leftwich said. “We have to choose to believe that you’re gonna get the big hit at the right time. A lot of times in that space, we let some doubt creep in and don’t necessarily attack in a space where we should and end up in bad counts. I thought later in the game, they did a good job of attacking spaces that they needed to, and got the results from it.”
Looking to bounce back, the Pack heads on the road to face ECU (24-17) in Greenville, North Carolina on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m.
