NC State softball’s West Coast trip ended in disappointment as the Pack dropped all three games in its series against No. 20 Stanford, struggling to find early momentum and falling behind quickly in each contest.
The Cardinals (30-12, 15-6 ACC) seized control in every game, forcing the Wolfpack (25-20, 6-11 ACC) to play from behind and capitalizing on defensive miscues and high-scoring innings to secure the sweep.
Game 1: NC State 4, Stanford 11
From the opening inning, it was clear that the Pack was far out of its depth. After failing to score in the top of the first, NC State let up a leadoff home run, a two-RBI single and a sacrifice fly, putting itself in a 4-0 hole before some fans even had a chance to find their seats.
With no NC State response in the second or third innings, Stanford added to its lead with a massive third inning. On top of four cardinal hits, two extra Wolfpack errors made matters worse as Stanford brought home six runners as the lead grew to double digits.
After silence in the fourth inning, the Pack finally broke through in the fifth inning when freshman third baseman Lily Livingston blasted a three-run home run — her 10th of the season.
But just as any hopes of a comeback were born, they quickly died as Stanford brought home another runner to make it an 11-4 ball game, and NC State ended the game the same way it started — crickets.
Game 2: NC State 2, Stanford 6
Just as it did in the first game, the Pack forfeited the opportunity at early momentum and left the door open for Stanford to take control. The Cardinal did just that with a solo home run and an RBI-single in the bottom of the first inning to once again put the Wolfpack in a hole early.
Unlike its previous game, NC State had no response to the deficit for the first six innings, allowing Stanford to tack on four runs in the third and fourth innings combined.
Finally, in the top of the seventh inning, NC State brought runners home with a two-run homer from senior Teagan Thrunk, pinch hitting in one last desperate attempt from the Pack to spark up a comeback. But it was too little, too late as Stanford slammed the door and took the series in demanding fashion.
Game 3: NC State 1, Stanford 3
With the series already over, the Pack came out of the gates looking deflated in the series finale. With a scoreless first inning for the third time in as many days, Stanford capitalized with a three-run second inning, epitomizing a hopeless series for the Wolfpack.
NC State brought the deficit down to the smallest it had been all series when a wild pitch brought home Livingston to make it a 3-1 ball game, giving the Pack its best opportunity to win all series.
The Pack shut the Cardinal down from the pitching circle, holding it scoreless for the final four innings, but NC State simply couldn’t gather any momentum in the batter’s box, ending the series as quietly as it began.
The Wolfpack’s road trip continues as it travels north to Charlottesville to take on No. 18 Virginia on Friday, April 24. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
