North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Softball Hosts Virginia for Three-Game ACC Series
3/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 25, 2005
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Virginia Series Kicks Off Stretch Run For Wolfpack Softball
With the 2005 Wolfpack Challenge in the rear-view mirror, NC State will head into the stretch run of its sophomore season starting with a three-game series with Virginia this weekend. The Wolfpack has 15 ACC games over the next month, and will play four out-of-conference doubleheaders to wrap up the regular season. The Wolfpack (28-15, 1-1 ACC) went 1-3 against the Cavaliers in 2004, with Virginia (10-16, 0-0 ACC) winning two, one-run ball games. The series will be held at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex in Raleigh, N.C., with the Saturday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. and the Sunday finale scheduled for a 1 p.m. start as well.
NC State Splits With No. 20 Florida St. To Open ACC
After three conference wins a year ago, NC State is already 1-1 after a split with No. 20 Florida St. in the ACC opener for the Wolfpack (the third game was rained out). Last season, NC State lost both games, by scores of 8-0 and 2-0, but won 2-1 and lost 5-2 this season on Mar. 7.
Sims' "Perfect"-ion Leads To ACC Player Of The Week
Abbie Sims was perfect from the circle against Central Connecticut State on Mar. 19 -- Literally. Sims tossed the first perfect game of her career and the first in school history in an 8-0 win over CCSU at the 2005 Wolfpack Challenge. She struck out 16 of the 18 batters she faced in six innings, including the final 13 to end the ball game. For the weekend, Sims recorded two wins and notched her second save of the season to earn ACC Player of the Week honors for the second time this season and third time in her career. Her three honors is tied for the active lead in the conference, and Sims tops the ACC in pitching with a 0.71 ERA.
Chamberlin Swings Away
Jen Chamberlin hit her eighth home run, and 20th of her career, to move into 12th all-time in home runs in the ACC. She hit 12 as a freshman a year ago, and Chamberlin leads NC State with the eight long balls, second in the conference.
Navas Reaches 50, 400 Near
Fifty wins, that is. With the 3-0 win over Appalachian St. on Sunday, Feb. 27 at the Seahawk Classic, NC State head coach Lisa Navas won her 50th game at NC State. Navas is closing in on 400 career wins, as she currently sits on 395 career wins in 11 years, and 60 wins in two seasons at NC State. Her coaching career includes nine years at Barry Univ. in Miami, Fla.
Streaky Pack
NC State won 11 straight at one point in 2004, and won at least three games in-a-row three times. The Wolfpack has already won three games in-a-row four times this season, with streaks of seven, six, three and three.
Shutting The Door
In its inaugural season of 2004, NC State pitchers combined for 10 shutouts in 59 games. Abbie Sims had seven of those, with Shaina Ervin notching the other three. Through 43 games in 2005, the Wolfpack staff has already amassed 12 shutouts. Sims has seven, Ervin two, and freshmen Brooke Isley and Megan Dalthorp each have one, with one combined shutout between Sims and Isley.
Five Times The Run
Three NC State players have enjoyed the number five this season, as Abbie Sims, Heather Gelbard and Jennifer Patterson have each had five RBIs in a game, a school record. Gelbard was the first to accomplish the feat, going 5-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBIs against Mississippi Valley State on Feb. 6. Patterson followed, hitting a school record three doubles and collecting her five RBIs in a 10-0 win over Rutgers on Feb. 20. Not to be out done, Sims hit her own grand slam, the second in school history, and drove in five runs in an 11-2 win over Delaware St. on Feb. 26.
1-2-3-HR: Wolfpack Pounding Out The Hits
It's all about the stats. NC State has 279 hits, 51 doubles, five triples and 26 home runs in 43 games this season. As a comparison, in 59 games a year ago the Wolfpack offense managed 385 hits, 53 doubles, one triple and 36 home runs. The 36 home runs ranked NC State 48th in the NCAA with 0.61 long balls a game.
Wolfpack Picked Fifth in the ACC in 2005
Head coach Lisa Navas' Wolfpack squad was picked to finish fifth in the ACC by a vote of the seven coaches. NC State garnered 18 league votes, trailing unanimous No. 1 Florida State (49), Georgia Tech (40), North Carolina (35) and Virginia (23). Maryland was sixth with 16 votes, while league newcomer Virginia Tech was seventh. NC State finished fifth in the ACC in 2004, posting a 3-7 league mark and a 32-27 record overall.
