NC STATE EVENS THE SERIES WITH NO. 15 VIRGINIA TECH
Caleb Wetzel
March 14, 2021
Virginia Tech's Keely Rochard jogs off the diamond against NC State. (NC State Athletics)
RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State evened the series 1-1 with a dominant 8-0 victory over No. 15 Virginia Tech in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Wolfpack (12-4, 8-4 ACC) took down the Hokies (8-3, 5-3 ACC) behind a strong offensive performance with nine hits, six being extra-base hits.
After a scoreless first inning, the Wolfpack struck first in the second on an RBI triple by shortstop Randi Farricker, who drove in four runs.. They added one more on an RBI groundout by Carson Shaner to lead 2-0 after the second.
Farricker led the Wolfpack offensively, picking up three hits, which included a triple, two home runs and four RBIs. The junior shortstop also increased her slugging percentage to a whopping .950.
The Hokies looked to answer, loading the bases in the top of the third after base hits by catcher Mackenzie Lawter, left fielder Kelsey Brown and shortstop Cameron Fagan, but were unable to cash in on the opportunity.
Virginia Tech was unable to capitalize all afternoon, leaving six runners stranded on the base path.NC State, meanwhile, left just two runners on base.
One of the bright spots for the Hokies, however, was Fagan. The freshman picked up two hits and now has a hit in nine of the Hokies’ 11 games played.
In the bottom of the fourth, Farricker hit a deep fly to center to extend the Wolfpack to 3-0.
Virginia Tech struggled to get anything going against starter Abby Trahan (7-1), who gave up only five hits and a walk.. She went the distance, pitching all five innings.
Virginia Tech head coach Pete D’Amour pulled starter Ivy Rosenberry after giving up a leadoff hit in the bottom of the 5th. She pitched four innings and gave up four earned runs on five hits.
Things broke open after the pitching change as third baseman Logan Morris singled to left with the bases loaded, scoring two. Farricker then hit a two-run homer after centerfielder Angie Rizzi was caught stealing third, and catcher Sam Sack followed with a homerun of her own to end the game.