Softball Takes 3rd Overall at USF Under Armour Invitational

Sunday, March 8

Clearwater, Fla.

10:00 AM

NC State

8-7

Loyola

8-4

NC State

Loyola - Chicago

Softball Takes 3rd Overall at USF Under Armour Invitational

3/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

CLEARWATER, Fla.  NC State solidified a third-place overall finish at the 16-team USF Under Armour Invitational with a 3-2 eight-inning win over Loyola Chicago on Sunday, March 8. The Pack moves to 8-7 with the victory, while the Ramblers fall to 8-4. The red and white has now won six of its last seven.

Lindsay Campana (4-3) grabbed the win, allowing five hits and no earned runs in seven innings. Mendy McKenzie earned her first save of the year, keeping Loyola Chicago hitless in the eighth.

Alyssa Ishibashi went 3-for-4 at the plate, capping off a five-game trip to Florida in which she hit .467.

State grabbed a run in the top of the first but left the bases juiced. Hannah Ojeda singled to left center and Bridget Desbois and Allison Presnell drew back-to-back walks. Kristine Bechtholdt followed with a fielder’s choice to short, and Ojeda scored the Pack’s lone run of the inning.

Stephanie Call made it 2-0 Wolfpack with an opposite field solo shot, the first of her career, in the top of the fourth.

The Ramblers got a run in the bottom of the six when Stephanie Cihlar reached first on a bunt single and Ishibashi muffed Claudia Cooper's throw to first, allowing Steve Bradich to score. Haley Ambrosch then lined a double down the line in left, bringing Cihlar around to tie things up at 2-2.

State had a chance to retake the lead in the top of the seventh, as Ishibashi singled up the middle and Ojeda got hit by a pitch with two outs, but Presnell was fooled by an off speed pitch and went down swinging.

Landon Warren started on second when the Pack came up in the top of the eighth, quickly taking to third on a well placed Desbois sac-bunt. Bechtholdt then laced a double to deep right, scoring Warren and putting State up 3-2.

McKenzie took over in the circle in the bottom of the eighth, instantly retiring Bradich on strikes. Alyssa Allbritten then gunned down Kaycee Tharp attempting to steal third, and Ellen Kresl grounded out to Eliza Jacobellis to end the game.

NC State will return to the field on Tuesday, March 10 with a home doubleheader against Michigan State. Action begins at 4 p.m. at the Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium, with GoPack.com carrying live stats for both games.