Relive the Classics from 2001:
NCSU vs. West Virginia
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The Pack softball lineup was once again decimated withpre-season injuries. Coach Taylor was at wits end when he discovered that two of his returning lettermen had broken curfew and sustained bicep injuries during their escapades. Returning stars Alex Storey and Mike Prather snook out after bed check in hunt of a fullbodied.......... beer, (You didn't think I was going to say beer, did you?) even though this went against Coach Taylor's strict nutritional diet which consisted of lite beer only. However, late the night before the opener, both Storey and Prather heard the desired substance calling them in their dreams. "Alex. Mike. You know you want to drink me. Come, drink me." Both players gave into the temptation as they tied bedsheets together and climbed out of their three-story spring training dormitory. However, upon locating the much desired Budweiser, theirbodies failed them. After six months of drinking solely lite beer, the strain of lifting those high calorie Budweisers was more than their biceps could handle. The strain of the eighth round of 12 ounce, high calorie curls did them in, as both sat out the opener with their arms buried in ice.
The Pack began the West Virginia game with Craig Stevens starting his first official game on the mound after three years with the team. Stevens got a rude welcome as the Mountaineers jumped on the Pack for two quick runs in the top half of the first. It could have been worse if not for the stellar play of the NC State outfield. In the bottomhalf of the first the Wolfpack did some hitting of their own with Greg Marlow, Chuck Monroe and Bethany Smith contributing to the cause. Atthe end of one, the two teams were in a dead heat at two to two. The Pack's long time ace pitcher, Bruce Baldwin decided to show up for the start of the second inning. Having won his drawn out battle with I-495, Baldwin now hoped to lead the Wolfpack softball team to a victoryagainst the Mountaineers. Baldwin used his years of pitching experience to put a stop to the young, inexperienced Mountaineer batters. In the second, West Virginia was only able to manage a single hit.Unfortunately for them, the baserunner was quickly erased by the Pack's first twin killing of the season as Baldwin snagged a come backer, flipped it to Ed Taylor at second, who fired it to Chuck Monroe for the 1-6-3 double play. The Pack bats were also silenced in the second as they went down in order.
Both defenses settled down from this point on, as it became a defensive battle. It would probably be more accurate to call the game an offensive struggle, but since I participated and am somewhat partial, we'll stick with defensive battle. Coming into the fifth inning the score was now tied 3-3. The Pack defense continued tobe impressive putting the Mounties down in order in the fifth. NC Statejust couldn't find their offense as the first two batters went down in order once again. Craig Stevens stepped up with the both teams waitingfor something to happen. Craig provided the excitement lifting a hard line drive to deep left center field. The center fielder took one stepin before realizing his mistake. Now he could only stand and watch asthe ball sailed over his head. Craig flew around the bases to give thePack a 4-3 lead. The Pack defense held once again in the sixth as the Mounties went down in order. In the bottom half of the inning, the Pack put a couple of security runs on the board to add a little extra cushion. Going into the seventh NC State held a 6-3 lead. There would be no last inning meltdown in the season opener this year as the Pack caught a little scare, but was able to hold on for a 6-4 win.
Quote of the Game - Craig Stevens comment to the West Virginia catcherprior to hitting the homerun that gave the Pack a 4-3 lead. "Your left center fielder is disrespecting my power. Do you have any of the "I can't believe it's not Butter" spray? If you do, I'd suggest getting your outfielder good and buttered up, because I'm getting ready to toast him."
Nothing Like Young Legs - The softball team has gone through a youth movement and pulled in a large number of rookies during the off-season. Thanks to those young legs, the Pack was able to outlast the Mountaineers. The team would like to welcome newcomers Bethany Smith, Matt Kalemba, Jeffery Taylor, Isaac Bumgardner, and Worth Hager. This was a great haul for the Wolfpack coaching staff as they brought in the top rated rookie class in the league. I have no doubt that you'll beseeing these stars names regularly in the future as well as others who will be joining the team, once they get back in good academic standing with the University. These additions should be just what the Pack needs to take the title. That is, if Coach Taylor can avoid having Sendek Syndrome causing half the team to transfer before season's end.