NC State Softball Rallies Late, But Falls to East Carolina

Tuesday, March 22

Raleigh, N.C.

5 P.M.

NC State

15-15

East Carolina

18-13

East Carolina

NC State

Photo by: Karl DeBlaker

NC State Softball Rallies Late, But Falls to East Carolina

3/22/2016 8:38:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Wolfpack sends the tying run to the plate in the last inning, but can’t convert

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State softball team rallied late and sent the tying run to the plate in the last inning, but came up short against East Carolina, 7-4, Tuesday evening at Dail Stadium. The Wolfpack scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Pirates held on for the victory.

NC State falls to 15-15 on the year, while East Carolina moves to 18-13.

Game Notes
- Former Wolfpack pitching coach and ECU head coach Courtney Oliver led the Pirates to a win in her first matchup against her former employer, NC State.
- ECU earned its seventh victory in the all-time series with NC State, as the Wolfpack continues to lead it, 12-7.

Quick Hits
- NC State struck first with a run in the bottom of the third after an RBI single by Hanna Sommer.
- Molly Hutchison was hit-by-pitch and advanced to second on an infield single by Meredith Burroughs to score on the play.
- East Carolina responded with three runs in the fifth to grab a 3-1 advantage.
- The Pirates received an RBI single from Nicole Cheek and a two RBI single from Meredith Mitchell to take the lead.
- ECU extended its lead in the sixth with four unearned runs to gain a comfortable advantage. A couple RBI singles, an error by NC State and a wild pitch allowed the Pirate runs to score.
- NC State was not out of it; however, as the Wolfpack plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh and had the tying run at the plate.
- Lana Van Dyken and Tyler Ross hit back-to-back singles and Hutchison followed with an RBI single up the middle to trim the deficit to 7-2.
- Maggie Hawkins doubled to center field scoring Ross to make it 7-3 and Hutchison advanced to third base.
- After a walk to Burroughs, Hanna Sommer stepped to the plate for the Wolfpack with the bases loaded as the tying run.
- She put a good swing on a ball and lifted it to deep center field for a sacrifice fly, as NC State pulled closer at 7-4.
- Unfortunately for the Pack, ECU got the next batter to foul out to end the game.

Inside the Box Score
- Sommer led NC State at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance with two RBI. Burroughs, Hawkins, Hutchison, Ross and Van Dyken each had one hit.
- For ECU, Meredith Mitchell paced the squad with a 3-for-4 outing and three RBI.

In the Pitcher's Circle
- Courtney Mirabella started in the circle for the Wolfpack and pitched 5.2 innings, allowing three earned runs to go along with five strikeouts.
- Burroughs relieved Mirabella in the sixth and finished the game, allowing one run on three hits.
- Lydia Ritchie earned the win for the Pirates, pitching seven innings with three earned runs and six strikeouts.

On Deck
NC State returns to conference action this weekend at Louisville. First pitch of Friday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m., while Saturday's contest will begin at noon.