Wolfpack Splits Doubleheader With Coastal Carolina

Thursday, April 6

Conway, S.C.

6:00 PM

NC State

33-14

Coastal Carolina

24-19

North Carolina State

Coastal Carolina

Wolfpack Splits Doubleheader With Coastal Carolina

4/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

April 6, 2006

Box Score

NC State softball (33-14) won the second game of the doubleheader 4-1 and fell in the bottom of the seventh of the opener, 1-0, to Coastal Carolina (24-19) in a regional showdown in Conway, S.C. Miranda Ervin and Shanna Smith both hit .429 (3-for-7) in the two games with a RBI each, and Smith stole two bases to pace the offense. Abbie Sims won game two (16-8) and Shaina Ervin (11-3) lost the opener, 1-0, despite a season-high 11 strikeouts and allowing just three hits.

Shaina Ervin lost for the first time in eight appearances despite carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning. A single and stolen base moved a runner to second in the sixth, but Ervin escaped when the runner was gunned down at third.

NC State had two good chances to score, with the first coming in the fourth. Miranda Ervin and Sims hit back-to-back singles with one out, and moved up a base on a groundout from Shaina Ervin. Megan Dalthrop grounded out to third to end the threat.

In the sixth, Smith reached on a bunt single then stole second, her ACC-leading 21st steal on the season. After Jen Chamberlin reached on a fielder's choice with Smith safe at second, Miranda Ervin and Sims hit into fielder's choices. Shaina Ervin grounded to short to strand two runners and keep the Pack off the board.

After a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh came back to haunt the Wolfpack after back-to-back singles drove in the winning run.

The offense got on track early in the second game, putting three runs on the board in the first on two doubles and scoring a pair of runs off of wild pitches. Heather Gelbard led off the game with the first of two doubles and scored on a Miranda Ervin double to left field. Chamberlin, who drew a walk before Ervin's double, and Ervin both scored on wild pitches for a 3-0 lead.

Tess Corona walked with one out in the second, and moved to third on Gelbard's second double. Smith hit a RBI single for a 4-0 lead and stole second, her 22nd, to put runners on second and third, but NC State couldn't add another run.

Sims went the distance and allowed just one run, a solo shot in the fourth, and five hits in the game for her team-leading 16th win of the season.

NC State returns to the field on Saturday for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. against Georgia Tech in a battle of second place teams in the ACC. The series finale - and senior day for Caroline Blount, Tess Corona, and Jess Willems - is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.