Softball Drops a Pair to UNC on Senior Day

Saturday, April 18

Raleigh, N.C.

3:00 PM

NC State

26-19, 0

North Carolina

33-11, 0

North Carolina

NC State

4/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

April 18, 2015

Box Score (Game One) | Box Score (Game Two)

RALEIGH, N.C. -- After winning game one of the three-game series on Friday, the NC State softball team dropped a pair of games on Saturday as UNC-Chapel Hill swept the doubleheader to claim the series win. The Wolfpack was edged in game one, 3-2, and lost the second game of the day, 6-2.

State falls to 26-19 and 10-8 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while Carolina improves to 33-11 and 15-4 in conference action.

Rychcik's Review
"I thought we had some good swings today, but hit some balls right at them," said head coach Shawn Rychcik. "We had our chances in both games of the doubleheader, so it's disappointing to lose both games.

"They were seeing Emily [Weiman] for the second day and started to get to her in game three, but I thought she battled and gave us some good innings."

Quick Hits (Game One)
- NC State broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third following an RBI-single to center field by sophomore Molly Hutchison. Senior Renada Davis singled to start the frame and moved over to second and third base after a groundout and wild pitch to score on the play.
- The Wolfpack added another run in the fifth thanks to a solo home run by Tyler Ross. The sophomore crushed a first pitch changeup over the scoreboard in right field for her 10^th round-tripper of the year.
- UNC countered in the sixth with three runs to take the lead. After a called strikeout to start the frame, the next two batters walked and Jenna Kelly followed with a three-run homer to left field to swing the momentum and the Tar Heels held on for the win.

Game One Highlights

Quick Hits (Game Two)
- North Carolina plated the first runs of game two after Aquilla Mateen dropped a bunt single and Kristen Brown followed with an opposite field homer to right field to five UNC a 2-0 lead.
- NC State trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the frame, after Davis doubled to right center and scored on a single to center field by Ross.
- The Tar Heels broke the game open in the fifth inning with three home runs to extend their lead to 6-1. Brown hit her second home run of the game, Kelly hit a two-run shot to center field and Kendra Lynch tallied the final homer of the inning to straightaway center field.
- State look to mount a rally in the bottom of the fifth, as Morgan Medford smacked a pinch-hit single to right field to lead off the inning. After a flyout, Davis drew a walk and Hutchison was also walked two batters later to load the bases, but a hard-hit line drive back to the UNC pitcher ended the threat.
 - The Pack capitalized on a miscue by UNC in the bottom of the sixth to plate an unearned run, as Alyssa Compton reached on an error to plate Sara Lippard from third base to make it 6-2 but could get no closer in the contest.

Game Two Highlights

Inside the Box Score
- Davis, Hutchison, Lippard, Ross and Lana Van Dyken had one hit apiece to lead the Wolfpack in game one.
- For UNC, Taylor Wike paced the squad in the first contest with a 2-for-4 performance, while Kelly, Lynch and Amber Parrish each had one hit.
- Maggie Hawkins led NC State at the plate in game two with a 2-for-4 outing, while Davis, Hutchison, Medford and Ross chipped in with one hit each.
- The Tar Heels were led by Brown in game two, who was 3-for-4 with three RBI.

In the Pitcher's Circle
- Senior Emily Weiman started both games in the circle and pitched well in both games, but began to fatigue in the second game. She struck out seven batters in game one, but the three-run homer by Kelly proved to be the difference.
- Sydney Matzko also went the distance for UNC, allowing just five hits and two earned runs to earn the game one win.
- In game two, Weiman pitched the first 4.2 innings before giving way to sophomore Courtney Mirabella in the fifth, who finished the contest for NC State in the circle.
- Kaylee Carlson earned the game two win after scattering six hits and allowing just one earned run.

On Deck
NC State will return to action on Tuesday when it travels to Radford for a doubleheader against the Highlanders. First pitch of the twin bill is slated for 4 p.m. with the second game to follow.