RALEIGH, NC (April 6, 2019) — NC State Softball was back on the diamond at Dail Softball Stadium Saturday afternoon shortly after their 5-2 defeat in game one of a double-header. In game two, NC State managed to return the favor, as the Wolfpack defeated the Orange 7-2, behind a strong pitching performance from first-year pitcher Sydney Nester and junior designated player Skylar Johnston.
NC State showed early that they were not content to let both games of the double-header go down as losses. Sydney Nester pitched a complete game, en route to her 10 th win on the season, striking out seven Syracuse hitters to just four hits and five walks. The two runs that she surrendered came off a 2-run home run by Syracuse’s Alexis Kaiser in the 4 th inning. Other than that, she held the Orange to zeroes in the run column in spite of threats made in various innings. Nester stranded eight Syracuse runners on base, many of them left in scoring position. She was aided on defense by strong play at the hot corner from 3B Logan Morris, who snagged a couple hard line drives and finished the game off making the play on a tough ground ball to third.
On the offensive side, the Wolfpack’s attack was led by Skylar Johnston. She drove in three runs in her first two at-bats, including a 2-run double in the second inning that put the Pack up 5-0. Sam Russ, Brigette Nordberg, Logan Morris, and Jessica Moore all added one RBI each, Moore’s coming off State’s only home run in the 5th inning. After the five run outburst in the first two innings, Syracuse pitcher Miranda Hearn settled down to throw a complete game of her own, striking out five.
The second game of the double-header, which was scheduled as a result of inclement weather on Friday, was played in front of 456 fans, with first pitch coming at 1:35 PM. NC State’s win moves them to 21-17, but just 3-8 in the ACC. The loss for the Orange drops them to 16-20, 5-6 in ACC play.
NC State and Syracuse will play one more game on Sunday to decide the series at Dail Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 12 PM.