NC State
25-26, 6-17
#21/18 Duke
36-15, 15-8
Massey’s Grand Slam Pushes Pack Past #21/18 Duke to Even Series
4/26/2025 10:34:00 PM | Softball
The win marked the first win over a top 25 team this season and the first win over the Blue Devils since 2019.
Prior to the game, the Wolfpack honored three seniors - Alaina Smith, Hannah Goodwin, and manager Hope Brennan
The Blue Devils struck first after Aminah Vega hit a two-run homer in the opening frame. Duke would go on to add four more runs in the second inning after two fielding error by the Pack and two hits allowed runners to score to push the lead to six.
The Wolfpack responded in the bottom of the second as senior Alaina Smith reached on a fielder's choice that brought a runner home and singles from MaKayla Marbury and Michele Tarpey brought home two more runs. The Pack ended the second inning trailing, 3-6.
Duke added a seventh run in the third after a single by Jada Baker brought home one.
Tarpey recorded her second hit of the outing in the bottom of the fourth when she doubled to left center to bring home Hannah Goodwin to record the Pack's fourth run of the evening.
With two outs on the board in the top of the fifth, Ana Gold struck out swinging but safely made it to first on a passed ball, allowing a runner to score to push the Blue Devils lead to four, 8-4.
NC State responded in the bottom half of the fifth as junior Hannah Church and sophomore Tori Ensley smashed homers to bring the Pack within one of Duke.
With two outs on the board and bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Massey worked a full count before smashing the sixth pitch thrown her way past the netting in left field to record her first career grand slam and put the Wolfpack in front, 11-8.
Duke attempted to force the bottom of the seventh to be played as one runner scored after a sacrifice fly by Vega but the NC State defense was on lock and picked up the final two outs to end the game on top, 11-9.
The Pack moves to 25-26 overall and 6-17 in conference play this season.
The rubber match between the two programs will be played on Sunday, April 27th at 1pm on ACCNX. Prior to game three, the Pack will honor its final three seniors – Michele Tarpey, Payden Bordeau, and Taylor Ensley.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Maxton, Carly (11-9)
L: Drogemuller, Dani (15-7)
Batting:
2B: Gold, Ana 1 ; Mathis, KK 1 ; Jennings, D'Auna 1
HR: Vega, Aminah 1
RBI: Malau'ulu, Thessa 1 ; Vega, Aminah 3 ; Gold, Ana 1 ; Baker, Jada 1
SH: Baker, Jada 1 ; Jennings, D'Auna 1
SF: Vega, Aminah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Malau'ulu, Thessa 3 ; Vega, Aminah 1 ; Terrell, Aleyah 1 ; Burgess, Amiah 1 ; Thomas, Brooklinn 1 ; Jennings, D'Auna 2
SB: Gold, Ana 1 ; Baker, Jada 1
HBP: Burgess, Amiah 1
Batting:
2B: Tarpey, Michele 1 ; Massey, Taryn 1
HR: Church, Hannah 1 ; Massey, Taryn 1 ; Ensley, Tori 1
RBI: Tarpey, Michele 2 ; Church, Hannah 1 ; Massey, Taryn 4 ; Ensley, Tori 2 ; Smith, Alaina 1 ; Marbury, MaKayla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tarpey, Michele 1 ; Wilson, Gabi 1 ; Church, Hannah 2 ; Massey, Taryn 3 ; Ensley, Tori 2 ; Goodwin, Hannah 2
