Sunday, February 21
Raleigh, N.C.
12:30 P.M.
NC State
6
vs
5
Wisconsin
Photo by: Greg Mintel
Wolfpack Concludes #ACCB1GSB Challenge with Win Over Wisconsin
2/21/2016 5:21:00 PM | Softball
Senior Maggie Hawkins hits a go-ahead double in the seventh inning
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State softball team concluded play in the Inaugural ACC/Big Ten Softball Challenge with a 6-5 win against Wisconsin Sunday afternoon at Dail Stadium.
The Wolfpack improves to 5-4 on the season, while Badgers fall to the same mark, 5-4. NC State compiled a 2-2 record in the challenge, splitting a pair of games with Wisconsin and Nebraska.
The Big Ten conference won the inaugural event.
Rychcik's Review
Opening statement…
"I'm happy our girls competed hard today to get the win," said head coach Shawn Rychcik. "Our offense did a nice job picking up some runs against a pitcher that has shut some people down, so I'm happy with our adjustments.
"Defensively, I thought we were really strong. We turned a couple of double plays and our middle infielders made some great plays."
On the weekend…
"It would have been nice to be 3-1 or 4-0 in the challenge, but we'll get back to the practice field to get better and get ready for a huge weekend. We're playing the top two teams in the country, so we have a chance to make a statement."
Quick Hits
- NC State struck first in the contest following a three-run homer by Tyler Ross to give the Wolfpack a 3-0 lead.
- Macauley Prickett and Lana Van Dyken led off the third inning with infield singles and Ross stepped to the plate next and clubbed her fourth home run of the season.
- The Pack added another run in the fourth after a fielding error by Wisconsin's second baseman allowed Brittany Nimmo to score from third base to make it 4-0.
- NC State extended its lead to 5-0 in the fifth by taking advantage of another fielding error by the Badgers.
- Wisconsin rallied in the bottom of the frame to knot the score at five. Kelsey Jenkins hit a grand slam in the inning and Chloe Miller hit a solo homer two batters later.
- The Badgers threatened again in the sixth loading the bases, but Wolfpack pitcher Courtney Mirabella struck out Jenkins to end the inning.
- Maggie Hawkins drove in the go-ahead run for NC State in the top of the seventh on a double to left field, scoring Molly Hutchison, who singled earlier in the frame, from second base.
- Mirabella stymied any thoughts of a Wisconsin rally in the bottom of the seventh, striking out the side on just 10 pitches.
Inside the Box Score
- Hutchison led the Pack at the plate with a 3-for-4 outing and a run scored. Ross was 1-for-4 with a three-run homer, while Hawkins was also 1-for-4 with a clutch go-ahead double in the seventh.
- Prickett, Sommer and Van Dyken had one hit apiece in the contest.
In the Pitcher's Circle
- Sophomore Harli Hubbard started in the circle for NC State and pitched well for 4.1 innings. She departed with the bases loaded in the fifth inline for the win, but Wisconsin rallied to knot the score in the same inning.
- Mirabella relieved Hubbard and earned the win (3-2), striking out six of the 13 batters faced.
Game Notes
- NC State was without the services of starting shortstop Alyssa Compton for the fourth straight game, as Van Dyken started at the position.
- Prickett got the starting nod in center field, her first start of the season.
- Molly Martin started at second base, just the second start of her Wolfpack career.
On Deck
NC State returns to action Thursday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. ET against No. 16 Missouri as part of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.
#STATEment
The Wolfpack improves to 5-4 on the season, while Badgers fall to the same mark, 5-4. NC State compiled a 2-2 record in the challenge, splitting a pair of games with Wisconsin and Nebraska.
The Big Ten conference won the inaugural event.
Rychcik's Review
Opening statement…
"I'm happy our girls competed hard today to get the win," said head coach Shawn Rychcik. "Our offense did a nice job picking up some runs against a pitcher that has shut some people down, so I'm happy with our adjustments.
"Defensively, I thought we were really strong. We turned a couple of double plays and our middle infielders made some great plays."
On the weekend…
"It would have been nice to be 3-1 or 4-0 in the challenge, but we'll get back to the practice field to get better and get ready for a huge weekend. We're playing the top two teams in the country, so we have a chance to make a statement."
Quick Hits
- NC State struck first in the contest following a three-run homer by Tyler Ross to give the Wolfpack a 3-0 lead.
- Macauley Prickett and Lana Van Dyken led off the third inning with infield singles and Ross stepped to the plate next and clubbed her fourth home run of the season.
- The Pack added another run in the fourth after a fielding error by Wisconsin's second baseman allowed Brittany Nimmo to score from third base to make it 4-0.
- NC State extended its lead to 5-0 in the fifth by taking advantage of another fielding error by the Badgers.
- Wisconsin rallied in the bottom of the frame to knot the score at five. Kelsey Jenkins hit a grand slam in the inning and Chloe Miller hit a solo homer two batters later.
- The Badgers threatened again in the sixth loading the bases, but Wolfpack pitcher Courtney Mirabella struck out Jenkins to end the inning.
- Maggie Hawkins drove in the go-ahead run for NC State in the top of the seventh on a double to left field, scoring Molly Hutchison, who singled earlier in the frame, from second base.
- Mirabella stymied any thoughts of a Wisconsin rally in the bottom of the seventh, striking out the side on just 10 pitches.
Inside the Box Score
- Hutchison led the Pack at the plate with a 3-for-4 outing and a run scored. Ross was 1-for-4 with a three-run homer, while Hawkins was also 1-for-4 with a clutch go-ahead double in the seventh.
- Prickett, Sommer and Van Dyken had one hit apiece in the contest.
In the Pitcher's Circle
- Sophomore Harli Hubbard started in the circle for NC State and pitched well for 4.1 innings. She departed with the bases loaded in the fifth inline for the win, but Wisconsin rallied to knot the score in the same inning.
- Mirabella relieved Hubbard and earned the win (3-2), striking out six of the 13 batters faced.
Game Notes
- NC State was without the services of starting shortstop Alyssa Compton for the fourth straight game, as Van Dyken started at the position.
- Prickett got the starting nod in center field, her first start of the season.
- Molly Martin started at second base, just the second start of her Wolfpack career.
On Deck
NC State returns to action Thursday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. ET against No. 16 Missouri as part of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.
#STATEment
Players Mentioned
SS/2B
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/OF
/ Softball
2B/OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
3B/SS
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