Wolfpack Softball in Semifinals of USF adidas Invitational

Saturday, March 11

Clearwater, Fla. (USF adidas Invitational)

4:00 PM

NC State

20-10

LIU

6-9

NC State

Long Island

Wolfpack Softball in Semifinals of USF adidas Invitational

3/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

March 11, 2006

Box Score

Megan Dalthorp and Abbie Sims combined for a shutout of Long Island University as the Wolfpack softball team (20-10) advanced to the semifinals of the silver bracket of the USF adidas Invitational. The Blackbirds (6-9) stranded nine runners and had seven hits, but Sims (11-5) allowed just two hits in the last 3.2 innings for the win. NC State collected 11 hits with Ashleigh Davis, Tess Corona and Jen Chamberlin each getting two and Shanna Smith scored two runs and had two more steals to push her ACC leading total to 17 this season.

NC State took an early lead with a run in the first. Heather Gelbard singled to start the contest, and was out at second on Shanna Smith's bunt attempt. Smith then stole second, her first of the game, to bring up Jen Chamberlin. Chamberlin was clutch, hitting a RBI single up the middle for a 1-0 lead, the only run NC State would need.

Dalthorp allowed five hits in her 3.1 innings pitched as the Wolfpack defense helped strand nine LIU runners over the course of the game. Sims came in to pitch in relief and tossed the final 3.2 innings for the win, striking out four and allowing two hits and three walks.

With the score close into the seventh, NC State got some breathing room by collecting three runs on four hits. Things got rolling on Lisa Nentwig's lead off double, her first of the season. Ashleigh Davis continued to hit the ball well with a single up the middle to move Nentwig to third. Corona hit a bunt single to load the bases with one out. Smith grounded into a fielder's choice but Long Island's catcher dropped the throw home and Davis scored to make it 2-0.

After another fielder's choice resulted in the second out at home, Miranda Ervin hit a two-run single into centerfield for the final 4-0 margin.

Davis is hitting .412 over the last eight games, with one RBI and a triple, to lead the team in batting average. Smith is a perfect 7-7 over the last eight games with three doubles, a triple and 10 runs scored.