Softball Hosts Big Ten/ACC Softball Challenge, Opens Home Slate

Friday, February 14

Raleigh, N.C.

4:00 PM

NC State

Ohio State

Softball Hosts Big Ten/ACC Softball Challenge, Opens Home Slate

2/13/2020 1:03:00 PM | Softball

Parking Information NC State Game Notes Live Stats ACCNX - NC State vs. Ohio State (Fri)ACCNX - NC State vs. Ohio State (Sat)ACCNX - NC State vs. Illinois (Sat)ACCNX - NC State vs. Illinois (Sun)

RALEIGH – After opening its season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, the NC State softball team returns to Raleigh for its home opener this weekend, hosting the Big Ten/ACC Softball Challenge Feb. 14-16. It is the Pack's fifth-consecutive year serving as a host for the challenge while features 10 schools from each conference at five campus sites in addition to games played at the ESPN St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational.

The ACC and Big Ten are 70-70 since the tournament's inception in 2016, with the ACC last winning the Challenge in 2018.

With a total of eight total games played this weekend at Dail Softball Stadium, NC State will open its home slate, Feb. 14 against Ohio State at 4 p.m. The Wolfpack will play a pair of games Saturday against Ohio State and Illinois before concluding the tournament against Illinois Sunday, Feb. 16 at 12:30 p.m. All four of NC State's games will be broadcast on ACCNX.

NFCA LEADOFF CLASSIC
NC State opened the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a big win over then-#21 Ole Miss, defeating the Rebels, 3-2. It is the first season-opening win over a ranked opponent for the Wolfpack since the 2009 season. The Wolfpack took on a total of four teams who were ranked or receiving votes in preseason polls, tallying a 2-3 record over the weekend.

FORBES MAKES A SPLASH
Senior transfer, Tatyana Forbes, made an immediate impact in the Wolfpack lineup last weekend. She led the team with a .471 batting average, eight hits and five RBIs. Forbes was named to the NFCA Leadoff Classic All-Tournament team after ranking second in hits in the stacked field. Additionally, her batting average was the second-best among batters with 15 or more at bats.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Illinois and Ohio State both enter the week receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN/USA Softball poll. This weekend will mark the first all-time meeting between NC State and Illinois, while Ohio State leads the series against the Wolfpack 4-2.

The Fighting Illini went 4-0 in their opening weekend, picking up wins against then-#21 Ole Miss and then-#23 Auburn. It is the first time since 2017 that Illinois has opened the season 4-0. Illinois' pitchers currently have a combined 1.25 ERA, led by Sydney Sickels who has yet to allow an earned run. Sickels earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors last week after pitching 15.2 innings with 14 strikeouts.

Ohio State went 3-1 last weekend, dropping its lone game to then-#19/21 South Carolina. The Buckeyes also have an ace in the circle with Payton Buresch who pitched 22 of the team's 30 innings last weekend for a 0.64 ERA.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Admission to all non-NC State games is free. Tickets for NC State games are available here.
Friday, Feb. 14
Illinois vs. Notre Dame – 1:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. NC State – 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15
Notre Dame vs. Ohio State – 10 a.m.
NC State vs. Ohio State – 12:30 p.m.
Notre Dame vs. Illinois – 3 p.m.
Illinois vs. NC State – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 16
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame – 10 a.m.
NC State vs. Illinois – 12:30 p.m.

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Friday
- NC State Heart Charm Bracelet Giveaway (125)
- Softball BINGO
- Enter to Win: NC State Softball Folding Chairs (4)

Saturday
- Enter to Win: NC State Softball Folding Chairs (4)

Sunday
- Enter to Win: NC State Softball Folding Chairs (4)

UP NEXT
The Wolfpack host its first midweek contest of the year next Wednesday, Feb. 19 with a 4 p.m. game against Elon.