Softball Set for Series Against Top-25 LSU

Friday, April 16

Raleigh, N.C.

5:00 PM

NC State

LSU

4/15/2021 10:01:00 AM | Softball

Live Stats ACCNX - Friday ACCNX - Saturday Game 1 ACCNX - Saturday Game 2 NC State Game Notes

RALEIGH, N.C. – In a big non-conference showdown, NC State will take on #16/15 LSU in a three-game series at Dail Softball Stadium. It will be the first time in program history the Wolfpack has hosted an SEC-opponent for a three-game series at home. The series kicks off Friday evening for a 5 p.m. game followed by a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on ACCNX.

Due to capacity limitations, attendance at NC State softball events remains limited to NC State player and staff guests only.

LAST TIME OUT
NC State delivered its first four-game sweep of the ACC season last weekend against Pitt, which included an offensive highlight in a 9-1, six-inning win. The Wolfpack registered seven home runs across the weekend including two a piece from Angie Rizzi and Libby Whittaker.

Angie Rizzi earned ACC Player of the Week honors for her outstanding performance which included a .615 batting average on an 8-for-13 performance at the plate. Rizzi went 3-for-4 in both games of Saturday's doubleheader and had four RBI in the leadoff spot for the Wolfpack. In the four games, Rizzi also had a 1.154 slugging percentage and was 2-for-3 on stolen bases.

The Wolfpack's pitching staff posted a 1.04 ERA against Pitt, which included two complete game shutouts by Abby Trahan and Sydney Nester. Nester's came in the series opener in the 2-0 NC State victory while Trahan closed out the series her shutout that included 11 strikeouts.

#HOMERUNMINDSET
NC State continues to lead the ACC and rank top-10 nationally with 1.69 home runs per game. The Wolfpack leas the ACC and has been top-20 nationally every week since opening its 2021 schedule. As a team, NC State has 54 home runs through 32 games, including 18 games with multiple home runs. With over a month left of the season, NC State's total ranks eighth all-time at NC State.

HOME SWEET HOME
NC State has a 19-6 record this season inside Dail Softball Stadium and has played 25 of the team's 32 games at home, including the opening 81 games of the season. The Wolfpack has had a winning record at home the last two-straight seasons.

A LOOK AT LSU
LSU boasts a 24-13 record after facing one of the toughest schedules in the nation. The Tigers have eight top-25 wins and have won four of their last five SEC series.

Aliya Andrews provides speed at the top of the Tiger's lineup with a team-best .368 batting average. Andrews also ranks 13^th nationally in stolen bases, with 22 on the season. Taylor Pleasants leads LSU in the power department with eight home runs and a .590 slugging percentage.

Ali Kilponen has been the ace in the circle for LSU, posting a 1.55 ERA through 72.1 innings pitched. Kilponen has a 10-4 record with 80 strikeouts. The Tigers pitching staff is deep, with four pitchers seeing more than 30.0 innings this season.

NC STATE-LSU SERIES
The two teams have only met twice prior, with both meetings coming in 2015. LSU took both of those games by scores of 7-0 and 4-2. The 2015 meeting set the stage for one of the most successful seasons in NC State softball history, which was capped off by the program's first NCAA Super Regional appearance.

Over the last three years, LSU has only played an ACC opponent twice, going 0-2 in those games including an 8-4 loss to Duke earlier this season.

UP NEXT
NC State will host Furman for a mid-week doubleheader, Wednesday, April 21 before hitting the road for an ACC series, April 23-25, against Clemson.