Softball Dominates CSU, 9-0 in Six

Tuesday, March 24

Raleigh, N.C.

5:00 PM

NC State

14-10

Charleston Southern

15-17

Charleston Southern

NC State

3/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C.  Mendy McKenzie and Morgan Peeler combined for a two-hit shutout, and the Wolfpack offense posted 12 hits as NC State took care of business at home in a 9-0 six-inning win over Charleston Southern on Tuesday, March 24. State moves to 14-10 with the win, while the Buccaneers slip to 15-17.

Allison Presnell pushed in 3 RBIs and went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Mackenzie Mangum added two RBIs and went 2-for-4. Toni Ann Williford knocked in two runs of her own.

McKenzie (6-3) fanned six and gave up just one hit in four innings, while Peeler tossed the final two frames. She fell one inning short of qualifying for a save despite the Pack’s sizeable lead.

Jamie Wellons (9-12) took the loss, lasting just 1.2 innings and allowing five earned runs. Kristin Kelleher tossed 3.2 innings in relief, allowing four earned.

Four hits allowed the Pack to take a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Presnell and Bridget Desbois laced back-to-back doubles, putting State ahead 1-0 before a Kristine Bechtholdt bloop single into shallow center pushed another run across.

Presnell extended the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the second, stroking a three-run dinger to center. Eliza Jacobellis and Alyssa Ishibashi both reached on back-to-back singles before Presnell drove a Wellons pitch out of the park. Kelleher took the ball for CSU shortly thereafter.

Williford made it 7-0 Wolfpack with a two-run single in the bottom half of the fourth. Jacobellis reached on a base hit to lead off the inning, and Katie Mansilla took a pitch to the arm. Both runners later moved up on a Desbois groundout before Williford made it happen.

The Wolfpack pitching duties were handed to Peeler in the top of the fifth, who quickly retired the side in order.

State put the game to bed in the bottom of the sixth. Desbois and Williford walked, both scoring when Mangum hit a game-ending double to the warning track in deep left.

NC State will host No. 13 Ohio State for two games tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25, at 2 and 4 p.m. GoPack.com will carry live stats for the entire twin bill.