NC State
16-29, 9-7
Pittsburgh
21-21, 4-15
Pack Softball Opens Pitt Series With Extra-Inning Thriller
4/21/2017 8:06:00 PM | Softball
PITTSBURGH - The NC State softball team managed to overcome a 6-0 deficit in the first inning with a six-run rally in the seventh, highlighted by Tyler Ross's game-tying grand slam, to open its series at Pittsburgh with a 13-10 win in extra innings on Friday evening at Vartabedian Field.
The Wolfpack improves to 16-29 (9-7 ACC) and the Panthers fall to 21-21 (4-15 ACC) on the season.
Game Rewind
-The Panthers took a 6-0 lead in the first inning. A single and Wolfpack error put runners on the corners to start the frame. An RBI double to left field plated the first run, and a single and Wolfpack error extended the lead to three. Another RBI single and two-run home run to left field gave Pitt its other three runs in the frame.
-NC State trimmed its deficit to three in the third inning. Natalie Jones entered the game as a pinch hitter and led off with a single to center field. Two groundouts moved her to third base, and Ross went deep to center field to plate two runs. A single to left field and walk put runners on first and second for Alyssa Compton, and she ripped a 1-1 pitch to right field to score the third run.
-In the fourth inning a Wolfpack error put a runner on second and a two-out single to right field extended Pitt's lead to 7-3.
-The Pack answered in the top of the fifth with a run. Ross drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on an error. Molly Hutchison was walked to load the bases for Compton as she singled to the shortstop to bring Ross home.
-The Panthers extended their lead to 10-4 in the sixth, opening the frame with three solo home runs.
-NC State rallied in the seventh to tie the game at 10. Compton opened the frame with a single to left field, pinch hitter Jessica Moore followed with a single up the middle and Haylee Kobziak was walked to load the bases. Compton scored on a fielder's choice and Moore crossed home plate on Molly Martin's RBI single up the middle. Ross tied the game with a grand slam to left field, sending the game to extra innings.
-Strong defensive work sent Pitt in order in the bottom of the seventh on three groundouts.
-The Pack took its first lead of the game in the eighth inning on Caraway's 3-RBI double to left field, as two singles and an error loaded the bases for her.
-Pitt opened the final frame of the contest with an infield single but a strikeout, fielder's choice and groundout sealed the Pack's win.
Inside The Box Score
-Ross's two home runs give her 10 on the year and 46 in the career, ranking third in the program's record book. She led the team at the plate with five hits in as many appearances with her six RBIs.
-Peyton Silverman earned the start in the circle and was relieved in the sixth inning by Harli Hubbard. Brittany Nimmo pitched the final two innings of the game, clinching the win as she only gave up one hit.
On Deck
NC State and Pitt will meet Saturday for the second game of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Vartabedian Field, and the game will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nimmo, Brittany (5-11)
L: B. Knight (10-11)
Batting:
2B: Caraway, Jade 1
HR: Ross, Tyler 2
RBI: Ross, Tyler 6 ; Caraway, Jade 3 ; Compton, Alyssa 2 ; Nimmo, Brittany 1 ; Martin, Molly 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ross, Tyler 4 ; Caraway, Jade 1 ; Compton, Alyssa 1 ; Moore, Jessica 1 ; Jones, Natalie 1 ; Nimmo, Brittany 1 ; Martin, Molly 2 ; Prickett, Macauley 2
CS: Ross, Tyler 1
PO: Martin, Molly 1
Batting:
2B: G. Zeremenko 1
HR: O. Gray 1 ; A. Solak 2 ; E. Hershman 1
RBI: O. Gray 1 ; K. Manuel 1 ; G. Zeremenko 1 ; A. Haynes 2 ; V. Ortega 1 ; A. Solak 3 ; E. Hershman 1
Base Running:
RUNS: O. Gray 2 ; K. Manuel 1 ; G. Zeremenko 1 ; A. Haynes 1 ; V. Ortega 1 ; A. Solak 2 ; E. Hershman 2
SB: O. Gray 1
CS: H. Edwards 1
