Softball Falls in Nightcap as Heels and Pack Split

Wednesday, April 27

Raleigh, N.C.

7:00 PM

NC State

39-23, 6-7

North Carolina (DH2)

36-24, 9-8

North Carolina

NC State

Softball Falls in Nightcap as Heels and Pack Split

4/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 27, 2005

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Wolfpack (39-23, 6-7 ACC) failed to sweep a doubleheader as UNC's Crystal Cox (20-15) started her second game of the day and pitched a two-hit shutout to snap an eight-game NC State win streak. Shaina Ervin (12-13) was solid in the start against the Tar Heels (36-24, 9-8 ACC), pitching a complete game and allowing five hits and while striking out five. Ervin's six walks hurt her, as she walked the bases loaded in the sixth before a two-run single pushed the lead to 3-0. Shanna Smith doubled for NC State, while Blair Harkey was 1-for-3 to pace the offense.

Smith doubled in the first inning, but failed to score as she jumped on Crystal Cox early. Cox allowed just two hits and struckout 12 while walking two in the win, her 20th of the season in 35 decisions.

Jessica Young gave North Carolina an early lead in game two, much like she did in the opening game. Young hit a home run to right field for a 1-0 lead in the second inning after hitting a two-run shot in the first inning of game one.

North Carolina threatened in the top half of the fourth as well, but Shaina Ervin stranded runners on second and third with one out after a single, walk and stolen base. Ervin induced a groundout and struck out Erica Ennis to end the inning.

The Tar Heels stranded two more runners in the fifth, as Cassie Palmer singled up the middle with one out to get things started. Marissa May reached on a error by Smith, and Anna Evans singled to right, and the throw came home as the runner, Palmer, held at third. May rounded second base but had no where to run with Palmer holding, and was caught in a rundown, 926. Young grounded out to third on the next pitch to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, North Carolina loaded the bases with two outs on a lead off walk and two, two-out walks. Young singled in two runs to left field to give her six RBIs in the two games this doubleheader. Ervin induced a line out to end the inning with UNC up, 3-0.

In the seventh, Lee Hasper and Abbie Sims pinch hit to start the inning, with both Hasper and Sims striking out on full counts. Cox struckout Harkey to end the game and seal the Tar Heel win.

Notes: The largest crowd to see a Wolfpack softball game was on hand as a announced attendance of 501 watched the doubleheader.