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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – A late rally fell just short as NC State softball lost its opening game at the Cathedral City Classic to UC Santa Barbara, 4-3, on Thursday, Feb. 19. The loss sends the Pack to 2-2 on the year, while the Gauchos move to 5-5.
Six different Wolfpack players contributed hits, and Claudia Cooper led the way with her first home run of the season in a 2-for-3 afternoon. Mendy McKenzie (0-1) took the loss, allowing just two earned runs and three hits in three innings of work. Lindsay Campana held UCSB hitless and picked up four 4 K’s in three innings commanding the circle.
Krista Cobb (3-2) earned the win while MeLinda Matsumoto grabbed her first save.
UC Santa Barbara jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a Tiffany Wright home run. Three Wolfpack errors helped the Gauchos add two more runs, both unearned, in the bottom of the second. Brooke Putich scored on an error at first off the bat of Mary Episcopo, and a throwing error from third to first during the next at-bat put runners on the corners. Christine Ramos then swiped second, and Episcopo crossed the plate on an errant throw from behind home.
Bridget Desbois put the Pack on the board in the top of the third with a two-run single into left, scoring Eliza Jacobellis and Lauren Peters. Jacobellis reached after being hit by a pitch, and Peters reached on a throwing error.
Cooper’s solo shot to right-center in the top of the sixth cut UCSB’s lead to 4-3, but the Pack never got closer than that.
NC State will take on Cal State – Fullerton later tonight at 8:30 p.m. EST.
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Courtesy: Peyton Williams/NC State
