Pack Drops Regular Season Finale to Louisville

Sunday, May 3

Raleigh, NC

1pm

NC State

27-25, 7-16

#24 Louisville

43-11, 18-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Louisville	0	0	5	0	0	3	0	8	10	1
NC State	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	3	6	1

Carly Short sliding to third vs #24 Louisville 5/3/26

5/3/2026 4:35:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State battled back from an early deficit, but a three-run sixth inning by Louisville proved to be the difference as the 24th-ranked Cardinals claimed an 8-3 victory over the Wolfpack on Sunday afternoon at Dail Softball Stadium.

The Pack finishes the regular season 26-25 overall and 7-16 in conference action.

How It Happened

After two scoreless innings, Louisville broke through with a five-run third inning, using three hits, three walks and aggressive baserunning to take control early.
NC State answered in the bottom half of the frame when Lily Livingston lined an RBI single to score Maia Townsend and get the Pack on the board.
The Wolfpack continued to chip away in the fifth. Carly Short doubled to center, Livingston delivered another RBI single, and Taryn Massey drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 5-3.
Louisville responded in the sixth, capitalizing on a two-out error before Bri Despines launched a three-run homer to left, extending the Cardinals' lead back to five.
Brooke Gray retired the final eight batters she faced to secure the save and close out the win for Louisville.

Up Next
The Wolfpack heads to Charlottesville, Virginia, for the ACC Tournament. NC State, the tournament's No. 12 seed, will face fifth-seeded Louisville on Tuesday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m. The game will be streamed on ACC Network.