Niners Drop Twin Bill to NC State 1-0, 2-1 in Extra Innings
April 15, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. - Despite a late rally off a single through the right side from sophomore outfielder Serena Smith and an RBI single from freshman outfielder Whitney Williams to right field, the Charlotte 49ers dropped both games of their doubleheader to NC State (27-20) 1-0 and 2-1, in extra innings, Tuesday afternoon at the D.L. Phillips Softball Complex. With the losses, Charlotte moves to 25-22 overall on the season while maintaining its 7-3 record in conference action.
Freshman pitcher and Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week Katy Hackett gave up the lone NC State run on just four hits in the first contest, striking out three and walking two. Wolfpack pitcher Lindsay Campana limited the 49er offense to three hits, one apiece to Smith, junior catcher Jaime West and sophomore utility Keri Palma.
An RBI triple by Blair Harkey to right field handed NC State the 1-0 win, allowing Davis, who reached on an infield error, to score the unearned run in the top of the second. The 49ers nearly mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh when Smith singled and then took second on a sacrifice bunt from West, but a game-ending double play squashed the threat.
In the second game, sophomore pitcher Emily Jeffery allowed two runs on five hits, throwing nine complete innings in the circle while striking out five. Once again, the Wolfpack pitching staff flattened the 49ers offensively, allowing only two hits--one each by Williams and freshman Kendra McCall.
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NC State took the early lead in the top of the third when Alyssa Allbritten doubled to center field, scoring a walked Ashleigh Davis who advanced to second on a wild pitch. Charlotte answered, though, when Williams' single brought in freshman Natalyn Blanton, who pinch ran for walked freshman catcher Tenaya Tucker and advanced on a walk and McCall single. After the 49er defense held the Wolfpack scoreless through the remainder of seven innings, NC State homered in the top of the ninth to center field, a run that would go unanswered in Charlotte's half-inning with a pair of strikeouts and ground out.
Charlotte returns to action this weekend with a pair of road contests at A-10 foe George Washington and a doubleheader at Fordham.
