Softball Powers Past James Madison

Sunday, March 13

Raleigh, N.C.

2:30 PM

NC State

10-10

James Madison

13-7

James Madison

NC State

3/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

March 13, 2011

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State softball (10-10) picked up another victory today, beating James Madison (13-7) by a score of 8-4 in the final game of the Wolfpack Challenge.

The Pack had an excellent day at the plate, led by senior Bridget Desbois, who posted a 3-for-4 performance in the win. In addition, Bethaney Wells and Caitlin Dent each notched two RBI on the day as the Pack offense smashed three homeruns.

James Madison started the game with a bang as leadoff hitter Ashley Burnham knocked a home run over the left field wall to give the Dukes a 1-0 lead. NC State starter Morgan Peeler recovered, however, and got Haley Johnson to ground into an inning-ending double play to preserve the 1-0 score.

Alyssa Allbritten put the Pack ahead in the third inning, blasting her second homerun of 2011, plating Landon Warren. Desbois followed with a base hit, and was driven home by Wells' second homer of the season, which gave NC State a 4-1 lead.

Kayla Cox entered the contest in relief of Peeler in the fourth inning. Peeler pitched three innings, giving up two hits and one run while striking out two.

On a wild play in the fourth inning, two James Madison runs crossed the plate due to two NC State errors in one play, making the score 4-3. Later in the inning, right fielder Dent capped off a double play by lining a throw to the plate, which easily retired the Dukes' runner.

Breanna Andrews smashed a lined shot over the outfield fence to lead off the fourth inning and increase the Pack lead to 5-3.

In the fifth inning, the Wolfpack capitalized on five walks issued by the James Madison pitching staff to score two runs, extending its lead to 7-3.

The Dukes continued to fight, though, and made the score 7-4 in the top of the sixth, when Katie Spitzer knocked a homerun over the left field wall.

In the sixth inning, Dent singled to drive in Allbritten, who reached on a base hit, to put the Wolfpack up by a score of 8-4.

Cox gave up one run on four hits in four innings of relief work, striking out five James Madison players.

NC State softball returns to the diamond on Wednesday, March 16 as the Pack travels to Elon, N.C. to take on the Phoenix at 5 p.m.