NC State
11-15
Bowling Green - Buzz Classic
7-11
Wolfpack Rallies Past Eastern Illinois In Extra Innings
3/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 19, 2004
ATLANTA, GA - NC State improved to 12-15 in a thrilling extra innings win over Eastern Illinois to end their first day of action at the Buzz Classic in Atlanta, Ga. The Pack got off to a hot start in the first inning thanks to a solo home run from freshman Miranda Ervin. Freshman Shaina Ervin then scored in the second inning on a double from sophomore Caroline Blount.
Shaina Ervin made a strong start from the circle for the Wolfpack, forcing two hitless innings to begin the game. In the top of the fourth inning, Ervin tallied two strikeouts, including one to end the inning with the bases loaded. In the next inning, however, Eastern Illinois would make things very interesting. Jessica Irps led off with a walk and would later score on a single up the middle from Chelsea Adams. Adams then came across the plate following a single from Sandyn Short. Rachel Karos grounded out to end the top of the inning, but Eastern Illinois had rallied back to tie the game at two. Ervin would pitch a hitless sixth inning before junior Carla Shepherd replaced her in the circle at the start of the seventh.
After two more scoreless innings the tie-break rule was instated to begin play in the top of the eighth. Sandyn Short flew out to junior Lee Hasper in left field, who then gunned down Manny Lindwall at second base. Karos would then ground out to second and give the Wolfpack the opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the inning. No strangers to clutch situations, the Wolfpack donned their rally caps and immediately got to work. After Shaina Ervin and freshman Allison Cuculich both reached base on successful bunts, NC State found themselves in the drivers seat with the bases loaded and no outs. Freshman Laura Klem would score the game winning run on a fielder's choice from freshman Rene? LaCroix and the Wolfpack spilled out of the dugout to celebrate their hard earned victory.
Shepherd collected her first win on the season while pitching two complete innings, striking out one batter, and allowing no hits. Freshman Moffatt Steele stole her second base of the season while Miranda Ervin's home run served as her second.
Bowling Green topped the Wolfpack 6-2 in the first game of the afternoon.
NC State will resume play on Saturday with two games at the Buzz Classic. The Pack will take on Georgia State at 9 a.m. before ending the evening against Tulsa at 5 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jody Johnson (4-2)
L: Sims, Abbie (9-5)
Batting:
RBI: Ervin, Shaina 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sims, Abbie 1 ; Ervin, Miranda 1
SB: Chamberlin, Jennifer 1
Batting:
2B: Gina Rango 1 ; Stephanie Finkel 1
HR: Gina Rango 1 ; Kristen Anderson 1
RBI: Gina Rango 3 ; Kristen Anderson 2 ; Ashley Zirkle 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jeanine Baca 1 ; Lindsay Heimrich 1 ; Gina Rango 3 ; Kristen Anderson 1
CS: Stephanie Finkel 1
