NC State Falls in Back-and-Forth Battle with Virginia

Sunday, April 28

Raleigh, N.C.

12 PM

NC State

26-26, 6-15-0

Virginia

20-30, 8-16-0

Virginia

NC State

Photo by: Chris Baird

NC State Falls in Back-and-Forth Battle with Virginia

4/28/2019 3:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – In a game that saw multiple lead changes, the NC State softball team (26-26, 6-15 ACC) fell just short to Virginia (20-30, 8-16 ACC) as the Cavaliers picked up the 11-7 win in Sunday's series finale at Dail Stadium.

After Virginia went up a run through one complete inning, the teams traded leads on four occasions before the Cavaliers took an advantage that they would not relinquish in the top of the sixth. Virginia secured the series sweep with the win.

OF NOTE:
- With her steal in the top of the first inning, Sam Russ tied a program record for single-season stolen bases with 27 on the year. Her next steal will set a new program record in the category.
- NC State hit three home runs in game three as Brigette Nordberg, April Visser and Logan Morris all went yard on the day. Their long balls put the Pack's total for the 2019 campaign at 59, which ranks sixth in program history in single-season home runs.
- Visser and Morris's homers came in back-to-back at-bats, marking the fourth time this season that the Wolfpack has seen its hitters leave the park in consecutive appearances at the plate.
- Nordberg's 16th homer of the year bumped her to sole possession of fourth in program history for single-season home runs by an individual.
- NC State's six home runs in total during the weekend marked the most for the Pack in a single ACC series this season. The Pack has a total of 13 multi-home run games on the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Virginia managed to get on the board first in game three as Hayley Busby led off the game with a single, took second and third on passed balls and scored on an RBI single by Erika Osherow. Lacy Smith also plated a run in the top of the first as she drew a walk, took second on the Osherow single, reached third on a fielder's choice and scored on a sac fly.
- NC State responded with a run in the bottom of the frame as Russ hit a leadoff single up the middle and stole second to move into scoring position. A two-out RBI double by Skylar Johnston plated Russ.
- The Pack jumped out to a 3-2 lead in the next inning. Angie Rizzi drew the leadoff walk in the bottom of the second and a sac bunt by Natalie Jones advanced her to second. After a walk by Jessica Moore, Kelli Wagner laid down another sac bunt to move the Wolfpack runners to second and third. Russ came up with a two-out double that bounced off the left field wall, her second hit of the outing that scored Rizzi and Moore.
- The teams scored a combined six runs in the third inning. A sac fly with the bases loaded plated one for Virginia before Kate Covington hit a three-run homer to center field to put the Cavaliers up 6-3.
- Nordberg brought the Wolfpack within one in the bottom of the third. Her home run to left center added a pair of runs after Morris had reached base to lead off the inning with a single to left field.
- A strong start to the fifth inning put NC State up 7-6. Visser swung at the first pitch of the frame and blasted one to center field to tie the score with her seventh home run of the season and her second of the series.
- Morris's second hit of the day came in the very next at-bat as the Wolfpack sophomore sent a solo shot off the scoreboard in right field. Her 10th home run of the season gave NC State its 7-6 lead.
- Virginia struck again in the top of the sixth. Lacy Smith singled and was replaced on the base path by Molly Keshin. Keshin advanced to second as Osherow singled through the left side, and both of those runners scored as Abigail Barber knocked a two-RBI single to left center.
- The runs put the Cavaliers back in front, where they would stay for the remainder of the game. Virginia plated a total of five runs off of five hits and two Wolfpack errors in the final two innings of action to secure the win.

ON DECK:
NC State will wrap up its 2019 regular season slate next weekend as it hosts Louisville for its final ACC series of the year. The teams will face each other on Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m., with all three contests set to be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra. The Pack will honor its senior class as it celebrates Senior Day prior to Sunday's game against the Cardinals.