Clutch Hitting Leads NC State Softball Past UNC, 6-2

Friday, April 17

Raleigh, N.C.

6:00 PM

NC State

26-17, 0

North Carolina

31-11, 0

North Carolina

NC State

Clutch Hitting Leads NC State Softball Past UNC, 6-2

4/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 17, 2015

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The NC State softball received a couple of timely hits in some big situations to earn a 6-2 win against North Carolina in game one of the series Friday night at Dail Stadium. The Wolfpack scored three runs in the fourth inning and three additional runs in the sixth to claim the win.

With the win, State improves to 26-17 and 10-6 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, while UNC falls to 31-11 and 13-4 in conference action.

Quick Hits
- NC State struck first in the contest with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomores Tyler Ross and Molly Hutchison drew consecutive walks and advanced to second and third base on an illegal pitch.
- Freshman Meredith Burroughs hit a ball up the middle that appeared to be a single off the bat, but a nice defensive play took away a hit as Ross scored on the RBI groundout.
- Maggie Hawkins was the next batter and she clubbed a two-run homer off the scoreboard in right field, as the Wolfpack took a 3-0 lead.
- UNC Chapel-Hill countered with a run in the top of the fifth following a leadoff single by Kati Causey and an RBI-single from Taylor Wike.
- State tacked on three additional runs in the sixth thanks to a bases-clearing triple by junior Lana Van Dyken. Ross and Hutchison hit back-to-back singles and Hawkins was intentionally walked to load the bases for Van Dyken and she delivered a two-out knock down the right field line.
- The Tar Heels tried to mount a comeback in the seventh, but NC State starting pitcher Emily Weiman got a pair of swinging strikeouts and a flyout to left field to end the game.

Inside the Box Score
- Hawkins, Hutchison, Ross and Van Dyken each had one hit in the contest to lead the Wolfpack at the plate.
- Causey was 2-for-3 at the plate for UNC, while seven other players in the batting order had one hit apiece.

In the Pitcher's Circle
- Weiman threw a complete game to earn her 21^st victory of the season and 98^th of her career at NC State. She scattered nine hits, struck out eight batters and allowed just two earned runs.
- For the Tar Heels, freshman Kaylee Carlson went the distance giving up six earned runs on four hits while walking four batters.

On Deck
NC State will return to action on Saturday when its hosts UNC-Chapel Hill in a doubleheader at Dail Stadium. First pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m. with the second game to follow. The Wolfpack's four seniors will be honored prior to the start of game one. Both contests will be broadcast live on ESPN3/Watch ESPN.