Pack Falls In Back-To-Back Games In ACC/B1G Challenge Saturday

Saturday, February 18

Raleigh, N.C.

3 P.M.

NC State

2-5

#11/10 Michigan

5-3

NC State

Michigan

Pack Falls In Back-To-Back Games In ACC/B1G Challenge Saturday

2/18/2017 10:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State's softball team fell to No. 11/10 Michigan and No. 13/13 Minnesota in back-to-back 11-0 losses Saturday on the second day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Dail Stadium.

The Wolverines improve to 5-3 while the Gophers remain undefeated on the season with an 8-0 ledger. The Wolfpack moves to 2-6 on its season.

Quick Hits vs. Michigan
-Wolfpack freshman pitcher Peyton Silverman held the Wolverines at bay in the first two innings, but gave up four runs in the third and fifth innings, including a game-ending grand slam by second baseman Faith Canfield.
-Canfield also drove in Michigan's first run of the game with the third of three consecutive singles for the Wolverines, and Kelly Christner scored from third on a double-steal to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead after one inning.
-In the top of the second, the Wolfpack loaded the bases with a walk and singles by Alyssa Compton and Macauley Prickett, bringing up leadoff hitter Tyler Ross with two outs. Her sharp grounder up the middle was backhanded by Canfield and flipped to second to end the threat, as the Wolfpack left three runners on base.
-Michigan scored four runs on three hits and an error in the third inning, with the big blow coming on a two-run double down the left field line by Amanda Vargas.
-The Pack threatened again in the top of the fourth, putting two runners on with no outs, but was unable to push a run across the plate against Michigan pitcher Tera Blanco.

Quick Hits vs. Minnesota
-Minnesota scored eight of its 11 runs in the first inning, as Sam Macken and third baseman Danielle Parlich started the inning with back-to-back doubles to reach second and third. A 2-RBI single by Maddie Houlihan allowed both runners to score and gave the Gophers an early 2-0 lead.
-With the bases loaded, Sara Groenewegen grounded out to the shortstop to allow Houlihan to score and give her team its third run.
-Dani Wagner followed with another 2-RBI single as Sydney Dwyer and MaKenna Partain crossed the plate and extended the Gophers' lead to five.
-Brittany Nimmo moved from third base to relieve starting pitcher Harli Hubbard. After Minnesota returned to the top of the batting order, Macken belted a three-run homer to make the score 8-0.
-The Pack tried to get things going in the bottom of the first, putting runners on first and second with one out after Jade Caraway singled up the middle and Cheyenne Balzer reached base on an error.
-In the second Compton singled up the middle with one out for NC State's second hit of the game.
-Wagner drove in Minnesota's ninth run with a homer to left field in the top of the third.
-In the bottom of the fourth the Pack once again had runners on first and second with one out after Nimmo singled to right field and Jessica Moore drew a walk.
-The Gophers sealed its win in the top of fifth, as Macken hit her second double of the game for two more RBI's by Wagner and Kemetmueller to give their team the 11-0 win.
-In the bottom of the frame Prickett was able to beat out an infield single to shortstop to tally the Pack's fourth hit of the day.

Up Next
NC State will return to action against the Gophers one more time Sunday at Dail Stadium for the final day of the ACC/B1G Challenge. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.

Friday's Results
Minnesota 4, Notre Dame 1
Michigan 12, NC State 0

Saturday's Results
Notre Dame 6, Michigan 4
Minnesota 3, Notre Dame 2 (8)
Michigan 11, NC State 0
Minnesota 11, NC State 0

Sunday's Games
10 a.m. Michigan vs. Notre Dame
12:30 p.m. NC State vs. Minnesota