NC State's Hot Bats Down the Trojans

Saturday, February 23

Kennesaw, Ga.

4:00 p.m.

Troy University

North Carolina State

Photo by: Joshua Thurston

2/23/2013 7:31:00 PM | Softball

By: Tyler Pigg

Box Score

DECATUR, Ga. – NC State blasted four home runs on Saturday afternoon at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial, as Troy fell to the Wolfpack, 9-1, in six innings at the Heck Softball Complex.

Four of NC State's eight hits were home runs and the four long balls given up by the Trojans tied a single game record. Wolfpack shortstop Renada Davis led off the bottom of the first with a home run to left field. Two batters later, designated player Hanna Somers belted another solo shot, this time to center field to give NC State and early 2-0 lead.

The Wolfpack (7-4) added two more homers in the bottom of the second, as NC State first baseman Leah Jones took an outside pitch of Rachel Rigney and deposited it over the left field fence for a two-run blast. Davis blasted her second home run of the game, this time a two-run shot, to extend NC State's lead to 6-0.

Rachel Rigney (3-2) took the loss for Troy, as the freshman lasted just 1.1 innings, giving up six runs and five hits. Sarah Thomas slowed the NC State bats down during 4.1 innings of relief, but gave up a two-RBI double by Bethaney Wells gave NC State the 9-1 win in six innings.

Troy added it's only run in the top of the sixth with two outs, as an NC State error allowed Chandler Griffin to scamper home and cut the Wolfpack's lead down to 7-1.

NC State starter Emily Weiman (7-3) picked up the complete-game win, allowing five hits and one run, while striking out six.
Chandler Griffin finished 2-for-3 at the plate, while Bailey Blake, Amanda Winters and Ebony Wright add hits in the loss. A two-out walk in the fifth inning, extended Taylor Smartt's reached base streak to 10 games.

The Trojans wrap up play at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial by facing Akron at 10 a.m. and Georgia State at 4 p.m. at the Heck Softball Complex.

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