South Carolina loses lead, falls to Wolfpack in Columbia
Returning home for the first time in four games, South Carolina looked to be in position to earn its fifth win in the last six games.
North Carolina State managed to push those hopes aside, however, battling back behind a late rally to top the Gamecocks 4-2 Tuesday evening.
The Wolfpack jumped ahead first, taking a 1-0 lead in the third on a throwing error by USC catcher P.J. Fulmer, but the Gamecocks didn’t wait long to counter, rallying for two runs in the bottom of the fourth to gain the advantage.
Sparking Carolina’s rally was outfielder Hannah Milks. After leading off with single, Milks stole second, then advanced to third on a muffed throw on the play. First baseman Molly Brossart followed with a walk, and pinch-runner Kylie Morin added a steal of her own, putting two runners in scoring position for outfielder Kaitlin Westfall.
On a 2-1 pitch, Westfall managed to lay down a successful bunt, scoring Milks and pushing Morin over to third. Two batters later, designated player Laura Mendes slapped a base hit into left, scoring Morin to give the Gamecocks their first lead of the game.
That lead proved to be short-lived, however, as N.C. State wasted no time tying it up. With a runner at third and two outs, third baseman Bridget Desbois pushed an RBI single to right, knotting the score at 2-2.
One inning later, the Wolfpack put it away for good with back-to-back RBI base hits from outfielder Toni Ann Williford and catcher Alyssa Allbritten, then managed to hold USC scoreless the next two innings to secure the win.
NCSU (21-20, 3-10) freshman Kayla Cox picked up the win, pitching a complete game while allowing two runs over seven innings and striking out six batters.
Right-hander Ashley Chastain started at pitcher for Carolina (23-21, 5-14), working five innings while allowing two runs and striking out a pair. Fellow righty April Borchardt took over in the sixth, giving up the two late runs en route to earning the loss.
Carolina will look to return to the winning side tonight in a home matchup with Charlotte. The contest will be the second of an eight-game homestand.