Wolfpack Snags Victory From the Jaws of Defeat
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Actually, another statement in that opening paragraph could also be dissected, “derailed by the 3rd-ranked James Madison Dukes.” Derailed might not be the appropriate word. Sadly, it’s not nearly harsh enough. Maybe a descriptor like “pummeled” or “demolished” would come closer to describing the actual pounding that this YOUNG Wolfpack team underwent. And the day started out so beautifully. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and everything was right with the world. The scenery was exquisite. The Washington Monument was standing proudly down the right field line, the White House down the left field line, and the World War II construction site directly behind home plate. Well, the scenery was about the only thing to be found positive about this game. Given that the Pack was so thoroughly hammered, 29-9, I’m using my prerogative as writer of these game summaries to skip right over it and go directly to game two. After all, the only thing worse than taking part in losing a game by 20 runs, is having to write about it.
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However, in week one, this NC State team had been decimated by pre-season hold-outs. Of course, this is one of the problems when you’ve had such a winning program. It can tend to go to some of the player’s heads. Matt McMahan, in the final year of his contract scoffed at the measly two coronas per game he was receiving as payment for his great play. His agent demanded that he be given higher quality beer and more of it. Matt finally settled for a six pack of Budweiser per game.
Greg Marlow was pushing for added incentives in his contract. If he batted over .300, he wanted a new Power Stick Plus Casting Fishing Rod. The softball lawyers couldn’t agree to the terms suggested by Marlow, but they did agree to give him a picture of one if he batted over .250. In the end, both sides were satisfied.
Last but not least, Claire Hackney insisted on being compensated for all the bruises she’d received knocking down line shots at third base. For every ball that hit her, she wanted to throw one at Coach Taylor and hit him in the same place, since he’s the one who keeps making her play there. At this time, the team’s lawyers are refusing to submit to Hackney’s request.
After giving up 29 runs in week one, the Wolfpack defense did the unthinkable. They threw a shutout in the first inning. Of course, it looked like this turnaround was going to be short lived as the first NC State batter was fanned by the UConn pitcher. Of course, I can’t say the name of this rookie. And in his defense, that third strike was really moving. Usually, a softball pitch travels four to five miles an hour. The Husky pitcher really let lose on this one as it was going easily six to seven miles an hour when it crossed the plate. All was not lost however, as Matt McMahan and Jeffery Taylor both followed with homers to deep right field. After all was said and done, the Pack held a 3-0 lead. What is this? Not again.
The revamped Wolfpack defense once again put down the Huskies without a run. Billy Parker, in only his second start, was really mowing the Husky batters down. After giving up a whopping 29 runs the week before, he was in complete control. When asked about the game, Parker responded, “Yeah, I really felt good out there. I had really good movement on my curve ball. The fast ball had good velocity, and even my spitter was dancing around.” Unfortunately, the Pack couldn’t capitalize in the second as they also went scoreless.
Connecticut finally made a couple of marks in the third, cutting the Wolfpack lead to 3-2. An RBI single by Phil Blalock pushed the lead back to 2 and the Pack was able to maintain that cushion taking a 6-4 lead into the sixth. Of course, that’s when the dam broke. One hit after another. Yep, you could hear the bad news bears music playing in the background as the Huskies scored 6 in the 6th, surging to a 10-6 lead. The Pack struck back for three in the 6th only to give them right back in the top of the 7th.
Yep, things didn’t look good for the Wolfpack as they trailed 13-8 going into their last at bat. Pitcher Billy Parker lead things off by getting a clutch base hit. After the next batter made the first out of the inning, Amy Bauman stepped up to the plate. And pounded one at the third baseman. The third baseman made a play on it, but Bauman running with here 4.4 speed, beat it out easily. Nick Higgins got a key hit next to knock in a run and cut the deficit to three. Matt McMahan loaded the bases, and then Jeffery Taylor singled to bring in two runs. Ed Taylor followed with a single to bring in the tying run. The Pack had come all the way back. The next batter grounded out to the right side, moving the runners to 2nd and 3rd with two outs and the game tied. Rookie Brian Copeland stepped to the plate in a pressure packed situation. Game tied, two out and the bottom of the 7th. Copeland never got the opportunity to swing however, as the Huskies fearing his powerful bat, intentionally walked him to load the bases.
Up to the plate steps the veteran Claire Hackney with two out, the bases loaded, and the winning run at third. You could cut the tension with a knife as everyone held their collective breath. Well, except Hackney, who stood at the plate with a calm, that only a veteran with her experience could have exhibited. She eyed the field and picked out her spot. She eyed the pitch as it left the pitchers hand and took a big swing , crushing the ball toward the third baseman. Ok, maybe crushing the ball is a little much. She hit a rug burner that stopped equidistance from home, third and the pitcher. As the fielders converged on the ball, Hackney raced toward first. Jeffery Taylor sprinted past the fielders before they could corral the ball and reached home plate. They tried to make a play on Hackney, but she was just too fleet of foot as she beat out a possible throw. The Pack celebrated a come from behind 14-13 victory.
Hackney on her game winning hit, “Well I immediately noticed that the third baseman was playing way too deep, and the catcher looked like she was half asleep. I figured if I just poked one about ten feet, with my great speed I could easily beat it out. I realize people are accustomed to me hitting the deep ball, but in this situation placement was much more important.” The Pack’s next game is against another top 5 foe in the Purdue Boilermakers.
Quote of the Game – Kara Martin feeling the guys on the team were not giving her the dues she deserved because she’s a girl. “Is somebody going to throw the ball to me today. Ya know, I’d like to play too!
Kara definitely ended up proving she had a glove. Of course, I don’t know if the guys started throwing it to her because they learned she could catch it, or because they were scared of what she might do to them if they didn’t.
Holly Farms Turkey of the Game - Without a doubt, Claire Hackney, for a clutch game winning single to give the Pack their first win of the season and even their overall record to 1-1. Honorable mention to Billy Parker who got his first pitching victory.