Softball Sweeps Elon, 8-5

Thursday, March 1

Raleigh, N.C.

4:00 PM

NC State

11-5

Elon

5-7

Elon

NC State

3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, NC. – NC State won the second game of a doubleheader against Elon, 8-5, on Thursday, March 1, at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex. Jen Chamberlin, Jennifer Patterson and Kristine Bechtholdt all tallied two hits in the victory. With the win, the Pack moves to 12-5 on the year, while the Phoenix fall to 5-8.

Paige Goss doubled down the left field line to begin the top of the first for Elon, but Shaina Ervin retired the next three batters to halt any scoring opportunities.

After going three-for-three in game one, Allison Presnell singled through the left side for the Pack’s first hit in the bottom of the second. Megan Dalthorp then drew a walk before Bechtholdt doubled to center, scoring Presnell.

Elon evened things up in the top of the third as Patti Weber walked with one out and moved to second on an infield single by Goss. Tracey Dahlen then reached first and moved Weber to third on a fielder’s choice to Shanna Smith at short, but Smith tossed the ball to Bechtholdt at second, recording a second out on Goss. Debbie Zeigler answered with a double to center, scoring Weber to tie the game at 1-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Smith reached first when Dahlen’s throw from short pulled Lauren Smith off of the bag. Smith then took second on a passed ball before Presnell walked. A sac-bunt by Dalthorp sent Smith to third and Presnell to second, before Bechtholdt singled to left, pushing Smith across the plate. Presnell then scored on a wild pitch, pushing the Pack’s lead to 3-1.

Chamberlin led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, which Patterson followed with a safe bunt to third. Smith then singled to right and Presnell walked, allowing Chamberlin to score. Dalthorp then ripped a line drive up the middle for a single, sending in two more runs.

Sims was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the sixth, and Chamberlin followed with a base hit up the middle. A single to right from Patterson scored Sims and moved Chamberlin to second. Chamberlin then crossed the plate on a sac-fly to center from Smith.
    
Elon scored four late in the bottom of the seventh, but the Pack’s lead was just too large to overcome.

Shaina Ervin (5-2) allowed seven hits while fanning six batters in the win. Helterbran, who began pitching in the bottom of the third and was later replaced, (4-2) picked up the loss.

NC State will open ACC play this weekend at home against No. 19 Florida State. The Pack will take on the Seminoles at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday, March 4, at 12 p.m. All three games will be played the Walnut Creek Softball Complex.