NC State
13-15
Georgia State - Buzz Classic
9-14
Sims Shuts Down Georgia State
3/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2004
ATLANTA, GA - NC State was up and active very early on Saturday, taking on Georgia State at 9 a.m. to begin play at day two of the Buzz Classic. Abbie Sims started her thirteenth game from the circle, giving up just one hit in the first three innings. That hit, a solo shot to left center by Pamela O'Neal in the top of the first, gave the Panthers an early 1-0 lead that would remain until the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the second, the Wolfpack gave the Panthers a scare when freshman Jennifer Chamberlin led off with a single. Freshman Moffatt Steele, pinch running for Chamberlin, would advance to second on a bunt from freshman Shaina Ervin. After sophomore Caroline Blount flew out to center field, freshman Allison Cuculich stepped to the plate with two outs and the tying run in scoring position. Cuculich sent a hard ground ball down the right side and Moffatt rounded third base heading for home plate. Right fielder Sarah Berzofsky quickly fired the ball to catcher Allison Bradford who applied the tag to Steele at the plate, ending the second inning and saving Georgia State's 1-0 lead.
By the top of the third, Sims had worked herself into a comfortable rhythm in the circle and was dominating the Panther lineup. After striking out four batters in the third and fourth innings, Sims and the Wolfpack headed into the dugout looking to take advantage of Georgia State's hitting drought.
Shaina Ervin got things started in the top of the fourth with a one out single to right field. Blount followed with a single to the left side that would advance Ervin to second base. Cuculich drew a walk and loaded the bases for freshman Rene? LaCroix, who drilled her second double of the season to right field sending Ervin and Blount across the plate to give the Wolfpack the lead at 2-1.
Upon returning to the circle in the top of the fifth, Sims would strike out seven more batters to end the day with 15 strikeouts, trying her school record which she set a week earlier against Eastern Illinois. The win would improve her record to 10-5 on the season and bring her ERA down to 1.99. NC State improved to 13-15 on the season and 2-1 at the Buzz Classic.
The Wolfpack will take on Tulsa at 5 p.m. with the possibility of a third game later in the evening.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sims, Abbie (10-5)
L: Andrea McNary (4-7)
Batting:
HR: Pamela O'Neal 1
RBI: Pamela O'Neal 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Pamela O'Neal 1
PO: Pamela O'Neal 1
Batting:
2B: LaCroix, Reneé 1
RBI: LaCroix, Reneé 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Lail, Sherry 1 ; Blount, Caroline 1
