Peeler Leads Pack Past Roos

March 16, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. - NC State softball won its first game in the University of Kentucky Tournament today in Lexington, Ky., defeating UMKC 6-3.

Morgan Peeler picked up the win in the circle, surrendering one earned run off of three hits while striking out five batters in the complete game effort.

Caitlin Dent paced the Pack at the plate, going 2-for-3 in the contest.

UMKC opened the game with a hit, but Peeler retired the next three batters to end the frame.

Katie Mansilla opened the Wolfpack half of the first inning with a nine pitch at-bat that ended in a walk. She moved into scoring position on the line drive single by Dent and advanced to third on a Renada Davis fielder's choice. The next batter, Bethaney Wells then ended the frame with a groundout, stranding Mansilla at third.

In the second inning, Landon Warren belted her second home run of the 2012 season, a line drive shot that barely skirted inside the foul pole, to put the Pack up 1-0.

The Roos took a 2-1 lead in the third inning off of one hit and one Wolfpack error. The squad extended that advantage to 3-1 in the sixth thanks to one base hit.

Toni Ann Williford led off the bottom of the sixth with a double, and Dent followed with a base hit, giving the Wolfpack runners and first and third with no outs. Davis then reached on a fielder's choice, plating Williford to pull State within one, 3-2. Next, Wells lifted a sacrifice fly to plate Kelsey Hoover who was pinch running for Dent, to tie up the game at 3-3. The UMKC pitching staff then walked three straight batters, giving the Wolfpack a 6-3 lead. Heading into the bottom of the seventh, State held a 6-3 lead over the Roos.

Peeler retired the Roos in order in the seventh, preserving the 6-3 victory, her fifth of the season.

State softball returns to action later today at the University of Kentucky Tournament to take on the host Wildcats at 3 p.m.

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Team Stats

Caitlin Dent

Toni Williford

Landon Warren

Scout Albertson