NC State Breaks School Record, Clinches Series Win

Saturday, April 10

Raleigh, N.C.

12:00 PM

NC State

19-11, 0

Pitt

10-23, 0

Pitt

NC State

NC State Breaks School Record, Clinches Series Win

4/10/2021 7:25:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State softball team clinched a series win over Pitt Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader sweep. The Wolfpack also set the school single-season record in stolen bases, with 63 and counting on the season.The previous record of 60 had been set three times, most recently in 2019.

NC State (20-11, 13-11 ACC) had a huge day offensively, putting up 16 runs across the 7-3 and 9-1 victories, with its pitching staff holding things down in the circle. Estelle Czech earned her second career win with a stellar 6.0 innings of work. Czech (2-1) allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk as Lucero pitched the final inning, in relief, not allowing a base runner.

Sydney Nester had a solid starting effort in game two, going 4.0 innings with one run on four hits and four strikeouts before Abby Trahan entered in relief. Trahan (9-4) earned the win after pitching 2.0 scoreless innings where she did not allow a hit and struck out two.

The offensive effort was led by Angie Rizzi who went 6-for-8 on the day with four RBI, four runs scored and two home runs.

Breakin' records in April.

We're all about it. Single-season school stolen base record! pic.twitter.com/XySpa2IBsF
— NC State Softball (@PackSoftball) April 10, 2021

GAME 1 RECAP
After being held to just two runs in the series opener on Friday, NC State's offense came out swinging with a five run first inning, sparked by Rizzi's leadoff double. Sam Russ laid down a bunt single and stole second to give the Pack runners at second and third without any outs. Two singles, a walk and groundout brought across two more runs for NC State before Madeline Curtis tacked on her own RBI-single for the 5-0 lead.

Pitt tacked on two runs by way of solo home runs, before a two home run fourth inning for NC State kept the Pack's lead at five. The Panthers continued to try to threatened with another solo home run in the top of the sixth, but Czech shut down Pitt with the final two outs of the inning before Lucero held them off the base paths in the seventh.

GAME 2 RECAP
For the first time in the series, Pitt scored first with a 1-0 lead in the first inning off an RBI-single. Abby Edwards looked to shut down the NC State offense as she only allowed two hits through the first four innings of the game.

Abby Trahan entered in relief in the top of the fifth with the bases loaded and no outs, before shifting the momentum heavily in the Wolfpack's favor. Trahan forced three consecutive outs, and did not allow any runners a chance to score.

Rizzi quickly changed the trajectory of the game with one swing of the bat, taking a 3-1 lead on a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth. From there, the NC State offense clicked putting up a huge six runs in the sixth inning for the 9-1 run, rule victory. The six-run inning included a three run blast by Libby Whittaker and the game-ending two-RBI single from Sam Russ.

OF NOTE