RALEIGH, North Carolina – Sophomore
Rachel Willis and senior
Merritt Wilkinson each had two hits and drove in two runs to power UNCW past NC State for a 6-0 non-conference victory at Dail Softball Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Seahawks, playing their final non-conference game of the regular season, upped their record to 29-10-1 while the Wolfpack moved to 15-29 with its fourth straight loss.
Willis and Wilkinson each went 2-for-3 with a home run in the victory. Sophomore
Kelli Freeman and senior
Lauren Moore also posted two-hit efforts for the Seahawks, who tallied 11 hits.
Senior
Peyton Jordan posted her third solo shutout of the season after yielding just two hits. She also tallied three strikeouts while improving to 14-4.
Freshman Peyton Silverman took the loss for NC State after allowing three runs on six hits over 4.0 innings with two strikeouts.
Key Moment: UNCW used back-to-back home runs from Willis and Wilkinson to build a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Willis blasted a two-run shot to left center before Wilkinson added a solo shot to center field.
Inside the Box Score: Seven of UNCW's nine starters collected at least one hit … NC State's leadoff hitter reached base just once … The Seahawks were hit by a pitch four times, marking a season high … UNCW also had a season-high four doubles.
#SeahawkStats: Moore posted a career-high two doubles … The Seahawks hit a home run for the first time since Apr. 2 at Elon … It is also the first time they have had back-to-back homers this season … Wilkinson was hit by a pitch in the first inning, upping her team-leading total to nine times being hit by a pitch this season … She also increased her school-record career HBP total to 20 times … Freeman recorded her fourth two-hit game of the season … The Seahawks collected 10 or more hits for the ninth time this season … Jordan reached the 100-strikeout mark for the season, becoming the eighth pitcher in UNCW history to reach the mark … She also recorded her 11th career shutout, moving into third place on the Seahawks' all-time list.
Up Next: The Seahawks resume Colonial Athletic Association play this weekend with a three-game series at No. 14/15 James Madison. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 22, before completing the set with a single game on Sunday, Apr. 23.
