After putting up an 18-3 record this past spring, the club softball team looks to improve not only their season record, but nationally as well. 

The Wolfpack won the South Atlantic Conference North with a 15-3 in conference record, qualifying for nationals as the No. 9 seed. They finished tied for first place with ECU and were three games above rival UNC. 

Despite their dominating efforts throughout the regular season, they were eliminated in the first round, losing all three tournament games to UGA, Miami, and FSU respectively (Miami and FSU are non-conference). 

“We did not do as well as we would have liked at Nationals,” said 2009 club president, senior shortstop and lead off hitter Sarah Von Thaer.  “We are encouraged [to improve] this coming year.” 

This year may prove to be challenging for the Pack, as senior pitcher and team leader Kristin Garrison graduated.  

“We have a major dilemma because we lost a great pitcher,” said senior clean-up hitter Lauren Morris.  “We don’t know if we are going to be able to find another one.” 

However, team veterans Morris and Von Thaer look to step up their play offensively as well as defensively to help the team’s overall goal of winning Nationals. 

“We didn’t do as well as we wanted to at Nationals,” said Morris, who is known for her aggressive plays on the base paths. “Our goal this year is the same as every year – to make it to nationals and do well.” 

“We’re especially looking for pitchers,” said Von Thaer.  “But every position is encouraged to come out, [because] we had a couple [players] graduate and move on last year.” 

The upcoming season will include around 20 games.  This includes three tournaments plus the annual Wolfpack Rumble, which N.C. State hosts.