Seventh Inning Rally Falls Short Against #24/21 Clemson

RALEIGH, N.C. – Back-to-back homers with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning allowed the NC State softball team to come within one run of No. 24/21 Clemson, but the late rally fell short as the Tigers picked up the final two outs to clinch the series Saturday evening.

The game was marked a sellout, making it the third sellout for the Pack this season and third in eight days.

How it Happened

Alex Brown led off the game with a home run to put Clemson in front, 1-0, in the opening frame.
After five scoreless frames, the Tigers added a second run to the board in the top of the fourth after a single down the left line allowed a runner score.
The Wolfpack responded in the bottom of the fourth after junior Hannah Church smashed a two-run homer to center field to even the score.
With two outs in the top of the fifth, Taylor Pipkins was walked with the bases loaded to force a runner homer and push the Tigers ahead, 3-2.
Freshman Kendall Simmers helped the Pack respond in the bottom half of the frame as she hit an infield single to drive home Michele Tarpey. Church stepped back into the batter's box and reached base on an error by the Tigers to drive home Taylor Ensley and give the Pack its first lead of the series, 4-3.
The Tigers responded once again in the top of the sixth with a two-run homer by Maddie Moore to give Clemson back the lead, 5-4.
Clemson added three more runs in the top of the seventh after Brown hit her second homer of the meeting and increased the Tigers lead to four, 8-4.
With one out on the board in the bottom half of the seventh, Taylor Ensley was hit by the third pitch thrown her way to head to first. Simmers stepped up to the plate for the third time and smashed a homer to left center field to minimize the deficit to two. Church worked a full count before smashing her second ball past the centerfield wall to bring the Pack within one of the Tigers.
The game marked the third this season that Church recorded two homers.
After a nine-pitch at bat, Payden Bordeau was thrown ball four and headed to first and sophomore Tori Ensley followed it up with a single to center field.
Freshman Taryn Massey, who earned her first career start, reached base on a fielder's choice as the Tigers picked up the second out of the game.
Clemson grabbed the final out as junior Teagan Thrunk hit a flyout to center field.
Redshirt-sophomore Wynne Gore started in the circle and picked up one strikeout in her 2.1 innings pitched. Sophomore Carly Maxton threw 3.2 innings and led the staff with three strikeouts.
The Pack moves to 21-21 on the season and 4-13 in ACC play.

Next Up
The Pack returns to Dail Softball Stadium on Sunday, April 13 for the series finale with the No. 24/21 Tigers. First pitch is slated for 1pm on ACCNX.

Seventh Inning Rally Falls Short Against #24/21 Clemson

Next Event

Team Stats

Kendall Simmers

Hannah Church

Michele Tarpey

Taylor Ensley

Players Mentioned

Payden Bordeau

Hannah Church

Taylor Ensley

Tori Ensley

Wynne Gore

Taryn Massey

Carly Maxton

Kendall Simmers

Michele Tarpey

Teagan Thrunk