Softball Shuts Out Charlotte, 6-0

Tuesday, April 10

Raleigh, N.C.

3:00 PM

NC State

28-16

Charlotte

22-17

Charlotte

NC State

4/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Raleigh, N.C. – Abbie Sims surpassed 1,000 career strikeouts in the second inning to lead the NC State softball team to a 6-0 win over Charlotte on Tuesday, April 10, in Raleigh, N.C. Sims is only the fifth player in ACC history to reach such a feat. The victory improves the Pack to 28-16 on the season, and the 49ers fall to 22-17. Sims (18-5) collected the win, and Charlotte’s Kristen Bowen (8-10) took the loss.

Sims tossed her seventh shutout of the season by allowing just three hits and no walks while fanning eight batters. Dalthorp pitched the seventh and didn't allow a hit in relief. Bowen allowed seven hits and six runs, three earned, but was victimized by allowing seven walks in the loss for Charlotte.

The Wolfpack gained an early 4-0 lead in the second inning on two hits and three 49ers’ errors. With Beth Poore and Krystal Hawkins both on base, Megan Dalthorp singled to the left, allowing Poore to reach home. An error by left fielder Emily Forbes advanced Hawkins to third and Dalthorp moved to second on the play. Kristine Bechtholdt sliced the ball to the right to bring in Hawkins. Bechtholdt stole second and 49ers’ catcher Becky Matthews sailed her throw into centerfield to allow Dalthorp to score. A wild pitch pushed the Pack’s lead to four as Bechtholdt scored on the play.

In the third inning, NC State improved its lead to five off of Dalthorp’s second RBI of the game. Shanna Smith reached second on a single to left and then a sacrifice bunt by Sims. When Dalthorp knocked the ball to right center, Smith was able to get to the plate to increase the Pack’s lead.

Charlotte came close to getting on the board in the fourth inning. Killough reached on a fielder’s choice to third, and advanced to second base on a single by Matthews. A fly out by Sierra Brooks and Sims’ strikeout of Sarah Malene ended the inning and the 49ers chances.

Blair Harkey’s line drive to left field in the sixth inning brought in Heather Gelbard, who had singled to the pitcher and reached third on an error, for the final 6-0 margin.

NC State plays the second game of the doubleheader against Charlotte at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex in Raleigh, N.C.