Softball Wallops UVa in Five, 9-1

Saturday, March 21

Raleigh, N.C.

1:00 PM

NC State

12-9, 1-0

Virginia

17-6, 0-1

Virginia

NC State

3/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C.  NC State completed a doubleheader sweep of Virginia with a 9-1 win in five innings on Saturday, March 21 at the Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium. The Pack moves to 13-9 (2-0 ACC) on the year, while the Cavaliers slide to 17-7 (0-2 ACC).

Mendy McKenzie (5-3) was absolutely sensational, holding one of the most active offenses in the ACC to just two hits while picking up eight K’s. Stephanie Coates (5-3) suffered the loss, allowing six earned runs in 3.2 innings of work. Allee Rife tossed two-thirds of an inning, giving up two earned runs.

The Wolfpack offense was able to generate big hits in several key situations. Eliza Jacobellis picked up three RBIs, while Alyssa Ishibashi and Allison Presnell each had two. Alyssa Allbritten went 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Kristine Bectholdt added her team-leading fourth dinger of the year.

Virginia had a chance to break it open early, loading the bases before State could record any outs in the top of the second. Lauren McCaskey made it 1-0 Cavaliers with an RBI single, but Bechtholdt gunned down another would-be run at the plate. That would be all the scoring UVa would get as Ishibashi threw out another base runner at home on a fielder’s choice and Bechtholdt brought in a foul ball just outside the line in left field.

Jacobellis put State up 3-1 with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the third. Coates walked the bases loaded, setting the table for Jacobellis who crunched a double that landed on the wall in left-center.

State extended its lead to 7-1 with a four-run bottom of the fourth. Allbritten got the rally started with a two-out single up the middle. Lauren Peters then walked and Jacobellis got hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ishibashi followed by lining a two-run single down the third base line, and Presnell dropped a two-run bloop single into right.

The Pack got the final two runs it needed to call it a day in the bottom of the fifth. Bechtholdt got it going with some fireworks, nailing a leadoff bomb over the wall in left. Claudia Cooper followed with a single into left, and Krystal Hawkins came on to run in her place. Hawkins took second on a Stephanie Call groundout, and Allbritten ended the game with an RBI single up the middle.

NC State and Virginia will wrap up the series tomorrow, Sunday, March 22, at the Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium. First pitch is slated for 12 noon. GoPack.com will provide live stats, while ACC Select will offer a live video broadcast.