Late Inning Miscues Cost Pack in 5–3 Setback to Pitt

Sunday, March 15

Raleigh, NC

12pm

NC State

19-10, 1-2

Pitt

15-11, 2-4

Pittsburgh

NC State

Late Inning Miscues Cost Pack in 5–3 Setback to Pitt

3/15/2026 4:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State softball team erased a three-run deficit to force extra innings, but a pair of unearned runs in the eighth inning lifted Pitt to a 5–3 victory Sunday afternoon in the series finale.

The Wolfpack moved to 19–10 overall, 1-2 in conference play while the Panthers improved to 15–11, 2-4.

How It Happened

Pitt took advantage of an early error in the first inning and used an RBI single from Gracie Helton to take a 1–0 lead.
The Panthers added another run in the third inning when KK Esparza singled up the middle to plate Alena Ball and extend the lead to 2–0.
Shelby Frazier pushed the Pitt advantage to 3–0 in the fourth inning with a solo home run to center field.
NC State broke through in the fifth inning when Carly Short launched a two-run homer to left field, scoring Maia Townsend and cutting the deficit to 3–2.
The Pack tied the game in the sixth inning after Morgen Talley doubled down the left field line and later scored on a throwing error by the Pitt center fielder to make it 3–3.
After a scoreless seventh inning forced extras, Pitt regained the lead in the eighth when Mackenzie Reese tripled and later scored on an NC State error before Vaughn added an RBI single to make it 5–3.
NC State put a runner on base in the bottom of the eighth, but Pitt retired the final two batters to secure the win.

By the Numbers

Pitcher Rylee Wyman threw 3.1 scoreless innings in relief.
The Wolfpack offense finished with six hits throughout the game.
Carly Short drove in two runs and smashed her third homer of the season.

Up Next
The Wolfpack will hit the road for the first time in over a month as it heads north to Blacksburg, Virginia. NC State will face No. 11/11 Virginia Tech for a three-game series starting on Friday, March 20 at 6pm.