Pack Softball To Host 2017 ACC/B1G Challenge

Friday, February 17

Raleigh, N.C.

5 P.M.

NC State

#11/10 Michigan

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2/16/2017 11:59:00 AM | Softball

Tournament Central Page

Wolfpack welcomes Michigan, Minnesota and Notre Dame

RALEIGH – The NC State softball team will serve as one of four hosts for the 2017 ACC/Big Ten Challenge this weekend, welcoming No. 11/10 Michigan, No. 13/13 Minnesota and RV/RV Notre Dame to Dail Stadium.

Georgia Tech, Florida State and UNC-Chapel Hill are the other host sites for the challenge.

Michigan and Notre Dame will play the first game of the challenge Friday at 2:30 p.m., while first pitch for NC State and the Wolverines is set for 5 p.m. See the tournament central page for more information.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Game          Day                       Teams                                             Time
Game 1 Feb. 17 Minnesota vs. Notre Dame 2:30 PM
Game 2        Feb. 17                 Michigan vs. NC State                    5 PM
Game 3        Feb. 18                 Notre Dame vs. Michigan 10 AM
Game 4        Feb. 18                 Notre Dame vs. Minnesota 12:30 PM
Game 5        Feb. 18                 NC State vs. Michigan                  3 PM
Game 6        Feb. 18                 Minnesota vs. NC State 5:30 PM
Game 7        Feb. 19                 Michigan vs. Notre Dame               10 AM
Game 8 Feb. 19 NC State vs. Minnesota 12:30 PM

PREVIEWING THE WEEKEND
-This weekend will mark the second tournament of the season for NC State, as the Wolfpack will play two opponents listed among the top 25 of the latest national poll (Michigan and Minnesota).
-NC State will enter the weekend with a 2-3 record, earning wins over Bethune-Cookman (4-2) and Boston (9-6) at the Florida Atlantic Kickoff Classic in its last time out.
-In the all-time series, Michigan leads 4-0 and Minnesota leads 1-0. The Wolfpack will play two games apiece against both squads this weekend.

FRESHMEN PRESENCE
-Three rookies started for the Pack in their career debuts last weekend – Jade Caraway (OF), Haley Finn (SS) and Peyton Silverman (P). Caraway started in all five games while Finn made four starts, and Silverman started three games in the circle.
-Caraway is listed among the top 10 of the ACC in batting average at .467. Of her 15 at-bats last weekend she had seven hits, including one triple and two RBIs.
-After starting three games in the circle on opening weekend Silverman struck out 17 batters, which is a conference high this season. She additionally earned the first win of her career against Boston.

STOLEN BASES
-Senior Tyler Ross has stolen four bases out of her five attempts this season, which is the highest among the conference and T27th among the NCAA rankings. She has 41 in her career, which is the second highest in program history.

GETTING ON BASE
-NC State has five players with an on-base percentage higher than .400 – Brittany Nimmo (.529), Caraway (.500), Molly Hutchison (.500) and Tyler Ross (.444). Caraway and Hutchison lead the team with nine total bases, while Nimmo has seven on the season.

ABOUT MICHIGAN
-No. 11/10 Michigan opened its weekend at the USF Wilson-Demarini Tournament, posting a 3-2 record with a .314 hitting percentage. The Wolverines defeated Delaware, Illinois State and St. John's and their two losses were to No. 4 Florida and No. 25 USF.

ABOUT MINNESOTA
-No. 13/13 Minnesota will travel to Raleigh with a perfect 5-0 record and a .300 batting average. The Gophers opened their season at the Texas Tournament, earning two wins apiece over Maryland and host Texas, as well as one win over Colorado State.