Softball Wins 30th Game After Doubleheader Sweep Over Kent State

Tuesday, March 28

Raleigh, N.C.

1:00 PM

NC State

29-12

Kent State

9-13

Kent State

NC State

Softball Wins 30th Game After Doubleheader Sweep Over Kent State

3/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

March 28, 2006

Box Score

NC State (30-12) took a doubleheader from Kent State behind the pitching of Shaina Ervin and Abbie Sims, and the offense of Ashleigh Davis. Ervin (9-2) tossed a one-hit shutout in game one with nine strikeouts, and Davis hit her second home run of the season in the 2-0 win. Sims (15-7) struck out 13 in game two as three players recorded RBIs, including a RBI single from Davis in the three-run fifth inning.

Ervin retired 13 of the last 14 batters and eight straight to close the game, not allowing a hit after an infield single in the third. Ervin has allowed just one earned run in the last 33 innings pitched, including three straight shutout starts while allowing a combined five hits.

Lisa Nentwig walked to lead off the third inning and Heather Gelbard doubled into left center with one out for a 1-0 lead.

Davis added an insurance run in the fifth with her second home run of the season to lead off the inning, though it hardly mattered as Ervin continued to cruise late in the game.

In game two, Sims worked herself in and out of three bases loaded jams without allowing a run in those situations. She did allow one run on three hits in the sixth after the offense staked a 5-0 advantage over Kent State.

NC State scored in the third in classic fashion after a lead off single from Gelbard. Blair Harkey came in to run for Gelbard and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Shanna Smith. Jen Chamberlin grounded to the right side to move Harkey to third with two outs. Harkey would score on a wild pitch from Gabe Burns for the winning run.

The second run came across in the fourth, as Sims singled to right and Caroline Blount came in to run. Megan Dalthorp singled through the left side and Blount moved to third as Davis reached on a fielder's choice. Corona reached as well to drive in a run to make it 2-0.

The Wolfpack fifth put the final three runs on the board, after Smith singled to right to start the inning. Sims followed two batters later with a RBI single, Jennifer Patterson scored on an error, and Davis capped off the scoring with a RBI single into left field.

NC State returns home on Saturday and Sunday for a three-game series with Maryland, with a doubleheader slated for Saturday and a single game on Sunday, both at 1 p.m.