It was a banner outing for N.C. State Saturday as the team defeated Virginia in three straight games. The Wolfpack, riding a seven-game winning streak into the game, increased that number to 10, and improved to 34-16 (10-5 ACC) while the Cavaliers fell to 14-30 (1-14 ACC).
The Pack outscored Virginia 25-4 on the day, winning 6-2, 7-2 and then blanking the Cavaliers for a five-inning 12-0 victory in the final game of the series.
Senior hurler Abbie Sims, who was honored prior to the game with her parents, continued to dominate opposing batters by winning the first and last game on Saturday. Sims improved her record to 21-5. Shaina Ervin earned the middle win for State as she moved to 11-10.
Sparked by two diving catches in the first inning, State saved its best effort for the final game. Junior centerfielder Blair Harkey saved a home run by managing to hold on to the ball as she crashed over the outfield fence.
Junior shortstop Shanna Smith also followed that play later in the inning when she sprinted backwards and dove to make a spectacular catch in shallow left field.
According to Sims, who pitched her sixth career no-hitter in the final game, the plays provided momentum and confidence for the team that they rode throughout the game.
“Once those plays were made, I just think everyone came alive,” Sims said. “Especially me, thinking that I was going to have to pitch to them again in the same day. Once that happened, I relaxed because I realized the defense really had my back.”
State also capitalized on five Virginia errors and was able to manufacture runs off of the mistakes. Junior Lisa Nentwig chalked this up to playing three games against her team all in one day.
“I don’t know what happened. Usually they are a really good fundamental team, but I guess playing three games back-to-back against us really got to them,” Nentwig said.
Playing three games in a single day did not seem to faze the Pack, as evidenced by the performance in the third game.
Coach Lisa Navas said if the team took it one game at a time, they could do what it takes to win.
“The key was just not to play all three games at once. We wanted to take one game at a time. The bats came alive, and we were just able to do some good things,” Navas said. “You try to motivate them whatever way you can. We told them they were going to get Sunday and Monday off. They came to play, and they did a great job today.”
The team will travel to Buies Creek, N.C., Wednesday for an in-state showdown with the Campbell Camels for a double-header.
