Relive the Classics from 2001:
NCSU Vs. Arizona State

Final Score NCState 23 Arizona State 17

The NC State softball team jumped out of the gates this season pulling out victories in each of their first two games. The team escaped with their lives in the opener against a West Virginia team that probably outplayed the young Wolfpack team, but the wolves were a little hungrier. The second game, the team humbled Baylor by twenty. The question now surrounding the program was whether or not this impressive start was a result of strong talent or weak scheduling. Those fans who have been following the NC State basketball program the last few years would say, "It's gotta be the schedule." However, unlike the basketball team, the softball team really has been seeing steady improvement each game. Coach Taylor would be the first to admit that given how young this year's team is, he didn't schedule the highest rated teams from last season to kick-off the schedule.  He wanted to allow his freshmen to adjust slowly to the rigors of alumni softball without throwing them into the fire against the big dawgs right off the bat.  Plus, with twenty plus people showing up for every game, some sort of rotation needed to be established in the early going.  The Pack hoped to learn a bit more about themselves in game number three against Arizona State. Last season, the Sundevils booted the Pack in the season opener scoring seven runs in the final inning.

The veteran Bruce Baldwin started off the game on the mound, but had no luck fooling the Sundevil batters early on as they teed off on him pushing three runs across the plate.  An NC State defense that had been giving up only seven runs a game was all of a sudden looking very mortal.  The question was which offense would show up for the Pack.  The anemic offense that showed up against West Virginia, or the high-octane attack from the Baylor game.  Well, the defense was questionable but the Pack offense was swinging some serious lumber in the first inning. After a leadoff pop out, Matt McMahan got the offense moving with a one out double.  Pitcher Bruce Baldwin stepped up next, helping himself out with his first homer of the season.  Ed Taylor followed with a homer of his own evening the score at three after an inning.  The NC State defense started to get their footing back in the second as they sat the Sundevils down in order.  Unfortunately, with the door wide open, the Wolfpack refused to walk though as only Jennifer Grieves was able to reach base in the second.  Going into the third the score remained even at three, but the Pack defensive players once again started daydreaming about those good ole days at Mitch's.   Yep, those were the good ole days, when you could get a draft beer for a dollar.  Now you're lucky if you can get a beer for four dollars.  After you leave a tip, you've pretty much emptied your wallet.  Darn... I love DC.  The Pack was rudely awakened from their slumber by towering shots from the ASU contingent.  By the time the Wolfpack awoke from their dreams they found themselves once again down three runs.  The Pack now put into work their philosophy of do unto others as they did unto you, and then a little more if you can get away with it.  Bruce Baldwin led things off with a double, followed by another Ed Taylor dinger.  Matt Kalemba and Craig Stevens got things going again with back to back doubles, followed by singles from Josh Elder, Claire Hackney, and Jennifer Grieves.  When all was said and done, the Wolfpack owned an 8-6 lead.  Unfortunately, they continued to encounter the same problem that would raise it's ugly head throughout this game, defense.

The defense once again found itself on its heels as the Sundevils struck back for three runs in the fourth to take a one run lead.  Fortunately the State batters continued to have success at the plate sending two more runners across in their half of the 4th regaining the lead at 10-9.   The defense settled down somewhat in the 5th giving up only a run, leaving the score tied at ten.   The offense now looked to break things open as the batters got downright nasty.  The Pack walked away from the fifth inning with a 16-10 lead, and when I say walked away, I mean it literally.  A new rule was implemented this year forcing team's to use a pitching matt.  In short, if the pitch hits this matt positioned behind the plate it's a strike, if not, it's a ball.  After three singles, the ASU pitcher walked five batters.  Yeah, yeah, I know. Who takes a walk in softball?  The easy answer is.....the team that wants to win. The ASU pitcher had actually been doing a brilliant job of keeping the Wolfpack batters off balance the whole game.  He realized that the NC State hitters were not very patient and was throwing a lot of pitches that weren't really hittable. The overexuberant batters were chasing after them.

In the 6th the Wolfpack hitters were showing that they could make adjustment during in the middle of a game as they exercised their patience.  No big deal you say?  Well this team made this adjustment during the middle of the game.  The NC State basketball coaches couldn't teach Damon Thornton in four years that if he ran somebody over, it was a foul. So yes, I think that's pretty encouraging. The Sundevils only managed a run in the 6th and after another big inning that saw the Pack score seven more, you could put this game in the books. The Sundevils mounted somewhat of a charge in the seventh, but the Pack held on for a 23 to 17 victory.