North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Finishes Strong, Falls Short Versus Louisville
2/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2004
RALEIGH, N.C. - With the temperature sitting at a chilly 44 degrees, NC State softball wrapped up its two-game opener at the Walnut Creek Softball complex. on Friday, Feb. 13. It was official now; the Wolfpack, now 0-2, had a softball team. Despite the 2-0 loss to Louisville (3-3), NC State gained what it needed to, experience.
Freshman Shaina Ervin earned the loss after she pitched all seven innings in her collegiate debut. She gave up three hits, struck out eight and had four walks after facing 24 batters. The best two innings happened to be the first and the seventh when the Wolfpack left two stranded. Freshman Heather Gelbard was walked in her first at bat and freshman Laura Klem advanced her on a sacrifice bunt. After freshman Abbie Sims hit a fly ball foul to the second baseman, freshman Miranda Ervin earned her first collegiate hit to move Gelbard to third and put Wolfpack runners on the corners. Shaina Ervin popped up to the shortstop to end the first inning.
NC State went the next two innings with six-straight outs. In the fourth, the Pack was led by junior outfielder Lee Hasper as she singled to left. I the final inning, NC State took two walks of its three total for the game to get on the bases. Freshman Allison Cuculich and Hasper waited on freshman Rene? LaCroix's at bat, but she struck out. Gelbard singled out to the pitcher to end the inning and the game. Freshman outfielder Abbie Sims was walked twice, while Miranda Ervin and Hasper each collected a hit.
The Louisville Cardinals scored the first of two runs in the first inning after being walked and an error pushed Sara Bausher over the home plate. The next three innings resulted in six-straight outs. In the fourth and fifth innings, the Pack defense held Louisville with four on base and no runs. The Cardinals struck for the second time in the sixth when leadoff hitter Courtney Moore walked and advanced on a passed ball. The Wolfpack did catch Alma Navarette in a rundown between third and second after she singled and moved around on the passed ball.
With nine of its 10 players being freshmen, NC State head coach Lisa Navas understands that experience on a field against actual opposition will be necessary as the Pack looks ahead to a full schedule.
The Wolfpack schedule for Saturday will begin with SIlver Bracket play. NC State is the seventh seed and will play Mercer, the 10th seed, at 11 am. The winner of that contest will face Kent State at 1 pm, while the loser will face an opponent to be determined at 3 pm.
