North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Wins Opening Game at USF Tournament, 3-1
2/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 20, 2004
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa, Fla. -- NC State softball improved to 2-3 on the season after a 3-1 win over Rhode Island (0-1) at the USF Tournament in Tampa, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 20. Shaina Ervin (1-2) picked up her first win of the season by pitching seven strong innings. She struck out 11 while allowing only five hits and a lone unearned run. On offense, NC State managed six hits by six different players, with three garnering RBIs.
Ervin would strke out five of the first nine batters she faced, and did not allow a hit until the 10th batter of the game, in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Wolfpack would get on the scoreboard first, as Heather Gelbard hit an RBI double, her fifth double in five games. Jess Willems reached on an error and advanced to second on a Caroline Blount ground out. Gelbard doubled on the first pitch to put NC State up 1-0.
NC State would push their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth, after Ervin and Jennifer Chamberlin struckout to start the inning. Lee Hasper reached on an error on a routine flyball, and advanced to second on the play. Allison Cuculich hit an RBI double, her first hit of the season, to score Hasper from second for the 2-0 Wolfpack lead. Willems doubled in Cuculich to make the score 3-0. The double was Willems first hit of the season, as she entered the game with only one at bat.
Rhode Island would answer with their only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth, after Wall singled and was advanced on a Barnes sacrifice bunt. A Haywood groundout moved Wall to third, and she would score on an error to pull the Rams to 3-1.
