RALEIGH, NC The North Carolina State softball team used a three-run fifth inning to defeat UNC Greensboro 3-1 in the inaugural game at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on the campus of NC State on Wednesday afternoon.

UNCG (7-7) was led by Mary Greenway who was 1-for-3 from the plate with a double while tallying the Spartans only hit of the afternoon. Sophomore pitcher Amber Harrell went the distance for the fourth time this season. The McDonough, GA native allowed three runs on four hits while striking out eight batters.  Pinch runner, Laura Olenderski added the only run for the Spartans in the top of the sixth inning.

North Carolina State (7-8) was led by Blair Harkey and Alyssa Allbritten. Harky was 1-for-2 from the plate with one RBI while Allbritten was 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Lindsay Campana picked up the win while Mendy McKenzie pitched two innings in relief and allowed one run on no hits.  

The squads were in a pitching duel for most of the game. UNCG was able to get the first hit of the game in the first inning with a leadoff double from Greenway, who has tallied a hit in each of the last nine games. The Spartans couldn't find a way to get her across home plate and closed the inning with a strikeout and a ground out.

The Wolfpack threatened to take the early lead in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and two outs Harrell was able to end the scoring threat after striking out Harkey. The teams would remain scoreless largely in part to pitching. NC State's Lindsay Campana threw five innings of work and allowing only one hit and striking out three.

The tide changed in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Wolfpack's Allbritten walked and advanced to second on a second base to first base putout. She was able to advance to second on an error by UNCG's third baseman and the Pack was able to put another runner on base.  Allbritten scored on a wild pitch in the next at bat to put the Wolfpack ahead, 1-0.

UNCG had another error in the inning which led to another North Carolina State run and an RBI single from Harkey put the Pack ahead, 3-0 which is all they would need for their first win in Dail Stadium.

UNCG avoided the shutout with a run in the top of the sixth inning from Laura Olenderski.  Olenderski, who was pinch running for Whitney Miler, who was walked in the first at bat of the inning was sent around the bases on a RBI from Whitney Sirois with two runners on base.

The Spartans return to the diamond this weekend when they head to Greenville, NC for the East Carolina Pirate Classic. UNCG will take on Fordham, Delaware, Radford and Towson before concluding the weekend with bracket play on Sunday. The Spartans return to UNCG Softball Stadium Wednesday March 5 when they welcome North Carolina for a midweek doubleheader.

 AGATE

UNC Greensboro......      000 001 0 -  1  1  3    

NC State............           000 030 X -  3  4  0    

Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell. NC State - Campana; McKenzie(6).

Win-Campana(3-6)  Loss-Amber Harrell(4-4)  T-2:14  A-307

- UNCG -