North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Stopped By No. 2 Florida State
5/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 1, 2004
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - NC State fell to No. 2/2 Florida State in both games on Saturday, May 1, in Tallahassee, Fla. The Wolfpack lost 8-0 in the first game and 4-0 in game two. Four Wolfpack players recorded a hit on the day. NC State finished the regular season with a 32-25 overall record and went 3-6 in the ACC. Florida State improved to 52-5 and 9-1 on the year.
Game 1 Recap
Florida State broke the ice first by scoring two runs in the first inning. The Seminoles reached base on four walks and to take the two-run lead. Freshman pitcher Abbie Sims was the lone Wolfpack player to reach base after two innings. She singled to left field in the first. In the second inning, FSU's Veronica Wootsen hit her seventh home run of the season over the center field fence, bringing the lead to 3-0 in the second. The Pack's defensive effort in the bottom of the third and fourth innings held FSU at bay. After a single from Beth Wade to lead off the third, Sims forced a pop-up to Renee LaCroix at short and then picked off Wade heading to second on a fielder's choice play. Freshman catcher Miranda Ervin caught Carly Brieske trying to steal and threw her out at first. In the fourth, Sims forced two fly-outs and a ground out to NC State second baseman, Heather Gelbard. The score remained in favor of the Seminoles, 3-0 after four innings. NC State put itself in scoring position in the top of the sixth. LaCroix reached base on a throwing error by FSU pitcher Casey Hunter. Gelbard sac bunted to move LaCroix to second, but she was left stranded after Sims grounded out to end the inning. Florida State wrapped the game up in the bottom of the sixth with five runs to end the scoring at 8-0.
For the Wolfpack, Sims took the loss and now owns a 20-10 record. She finished the game with eight runs off seven hits, five walks and three strikeouts in 32 batters faced. Sims also had the Pack's only hit. FSU's Hunter earned the win and improved to 29-1 on the year.
Game 2 Recap
NC State started game two off with thoughts of revenge. The Pack quickly put two runners on after Miranda Ervin singled to left and Chamberlin reached after getting hit by a pitch. Both were left stranded however. Shaina Ervin took over pitching duties in this game and promptly struck out the 'Noles leadoff hitter and best hitter, Wootsen. Ervin then forced Florida State's next two batters to pop and fly out to the left side. In the second, Caroline Blount put the Pack on the bases after she sent a shot down the third base line. NC State couldn't bring her around to end the inning, but remained aggressive in the batter's box. Florida State ended the two-inning scoreless game by tallying two runs in the third. Katie Fricke doubled to left-center to start the third hitting. Wootsen reached base with a walk and was followed by two-straight singles to bring in the runs. In the fourth, on a defensive note, Chamberlin turned a double play after fielding a linedrive and throwing the runner out at first. FSU added two more runs in the fifth on two hits. Natasha Jacob led off the inning with a bunt to reach base and was followed by a walk by Jessica van der Linden. They both scored after a sac bunt and another single moved them around.
NC State's Shaina Ervin recorded the loss and now owns a 10-12 record. She finished the game with four runs off eight hits, three walks and two strikeouts in 28 batters faced. NC State reached base six times in its 23 at bats. Blount and Miranda and Shaina Ervin each recorded a hit for the Pack. Jessica van der Linden earned the win and moved to 23-4 for the season.
NC State now turns its attention to the 2004 ACC Softball Championship, set for May 14-16, in Tallahassee, Fla. Team seedings will be determined later in the week.
