BATON ROUGE — Second-seeded NC State scored a run in the top of the first and held off a bases-loaded rally in the bottom of the seventh with a 1-2-3 double play to eliminate fourth-seeded Princeton, 1-0, on Saturday in the NCAA Softball Regional at Tiger Park.
Unlike the 10-inning 7-6 thriller between LSU and Louisiana-Lafayette in the first game, the second game between these teams was decided by just one run, which came in a first-inning home run by N.C. State.
The Wolfpack (50-20) survived to face third-seeded Louisiana-Lafayette (49-11) in another elimination game to follow at 7:15 p.m. CT.
Shaina Ervin (20-3) earned the win for NC State, her 14th complete game of the year. Erin Snyder (17-7), who entered the game with a 0.82 ERA, gave up only one run in receiving her seventh loss of the year for the Tigers.
NC State grabbed an early first-inning lead with a two-out solo blast into left field by third baseman Jennifer Chamberlin. It was her team-leading 13th homer of the year.
The score remained 1-0 through three innings, the only other hit coming on a single to right field by Princeton right fielder Beth Dalmut in the bottom of the second.
The Wolfpack got another runner on base in the top of the fourth on an error by Princeton shortstop Cristina Cobb-Adams. Shanna Smith, the NC State shortstop, advanced to third on two groundouts, but was left stranded after right fielder Abbie Sims was called out on a close play at first base.
The Tigers got a fourth inning hit of their own in the form of a leadoff single by centerfielder Stephanie Steel. However, she was stranded as well after two strikeouts and a groundout by the next three batters.
Snyder struck out the side in the top of the fifth, but the Tigers left two more runners on in the bottom half unable to match the Wolfpack score.
NC State threatened to extend its lead in the top of the sixth. Designated player Heather Gelbard had a one-out single, and Chamberlin earned a two-out walk to give the Wolfpack runners at first and second base. Princeton third baseman Jackie Araneo then caught a line drive by catcher Miranda Ervin to end the inning.
Princeton made a threat of its own in the bottom half of the inning, putting its first two batters on base. Steel got to second on a fielding error by second baseman Tess Corona, and shortstop Cristina Cobb-Adams bunted herself to first and advanced Steel to third.
A squeeze bunt play by Kathryn Welch was unsuccessful, as Steel was thrown out at the plate. Lisa Gott next roped a ball to left field, which was caught by Megan Dalthorp. Cobb-Adams could not return to tag at second in time, and she was forced out in a double play to end the inning.
Trailing by one run in the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers loaded the bases with one out. Catcher Samantha O’Hara hit it right back to the mound, and the Wolfpack got a double play force at home and first to complete the game.
NC State has the chance to redeem Friday’s loss to the Ragin’ Cajuns in another elimination game. A win would put them against top-seeded LSU in Sunday’s championship game.
2006 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional
Game 4: (2) N. C. State vs. (4) Princeton
Princeton Quotes
Head Coach Maureen Brown
Opening Statement
“I don’t think we had the best start to the game. Offensively the way we played in the beginning of the game was not what we hoped for. Had we done that I think it would have been a lot different game. Our pitcher threw a great game, save that one pitch. N.C. State played a great game and Jen Chamberlin is a great hitter so you can’t be too upset about giving up a hit to her. I just wish it weren’t over yet.”