Pack Bounces Back with Shutout of Queens

Tuesday, February 17

Raleigh, NC

5pm

NC State

3-7

Queens

2-3

Queens

NC State

2/17/2026 7:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – A season-high three home runs powered the Wolfpack to a 10-0 shutout victory over Queens on Tuesday evening, moving NC State back into the win column.

The win marked the 16th home opener in program history and the third straight during head coach Lindsay Leftwich's tenure.

How It Went Down

Freshman Morgen Talley earned the start in the circle and picked up a strikeout in the opening frame.
The offense warmed up quickly as senior Maia Townsend reached base to lead off the Pack in the bottom of the first. With one out and two on, senior Hannah Church singled to shallow left field to bring home Townsend, putting the Pack on the board first.
The Royals recorded their first hit in the second inning when Quinn Thompson singled to center field, but they were unable to bring a runner home.
The Wolfpack posted four runs in the bottom of the second after a single from freshman Carly Short brought home one run, and sophomore Kendall Simmers homered to deep center field for three RBIs.
Sage Farmer led off the third with a single and later advanced on a wild pitch and a groundout. The center fielder was left stranded at third as the Pack recorded the final out of the inning.
Talley singled to shallow left field with one out in the third and was immediately brought home when sophomore Taryn Massey launched her first home run of the season to deep left field.
Talley's evening concluded after three innings. She tallied three strikeouts and one walk before being replaced in the circle by redshirt-junior Wynne Gore, who threw 1.2 innings and picked up a strikeout.
NC State added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth after Short doubled down the left-field line to score Townsend, who reached on an error by the Royals' pitcher. Short later advanced on a steal and scored on a throwing error by the Royals' catcher.
Freshman Lily Livingston smashed a solo home run to left field — her second of the season — to push NC State ahead, 10-0.
Farmer singled to lead off the top of the fifth in hopes of sparking a late rally, but the Wolfpack turned a double play after Simmers tagged Farmer out advancing to second and Dani Stewart was thrown out at first.
Redshirt-sophomore Kayla Fekel entered the circle for the first time in 391 days and threw one pitch to secure the final out.
Talley earned the win and improved to 3-1 in the circle this season.
The offense was led by Short, who tallied two hits; Townsend, who scored three runs; and Simmers, who recorded three RBIs.
The win moves NC State to 4-7 on the season and marks the 59th victory under head coach Lindsay Leftwich.

Up Next
The Pack remains in Raleigh to host the Raleigh Times Tournament at Dail Softball Stadium. NC State opens play Friday at 2:30 p.m. against Providence before facing Illinois at 5 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ACCNX.