Pitt Tops NC State 5-3 in Extras, Wins Series

Sunday, March 15

Raleigh, NC

1 PM

Pitt

15-11, 2-4

NC State

19-10, 1-2

Pittsburgh

NC State

Pitt Tops NC State 5-3 in Extras, Wins Series

3/15/2026 3:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

RALEIGH, N.C. – Pitt scored twice in the eighth inning to break a tie and defeat NC State, 5-3, in eight innings to secure the series win Sunday at Dail Softball Stadium.

Pitt jumped in front in the opening frame. Tieley Vaughn reached on a fielding error and stole second, while Calle Henne singled and also swiped second to put two runners in scoring position. Gracie Helton followed with a single to center field that plated Vaughn and gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

The Panthers added another run in the third when KK Esparza delivered a two-out RBI single to center, extending the advantage to 2-0.

Starter Gwen Sparks set the tone in the circle, tossing 2.0 shutout innings while allowing just one hit with two walks and three strikeouts across nine batters faced. Bekah Duck entered in the third inning and continued the strong pitching effort.

Shelby Frazier provided another spark in the fourth, leading off the inning with a solo home run to push the Panthers' lead to 3-0 and force a pitching change for NC State.

Pitt threatened again in the fifth as Vaughn opened the inning with a triple. Alena Ball followed with a bunt single and Esparza was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. NC State pitcher Rylee Wyman escaped the jam without allowing a run.

Pitt turned to Kyra Pittman with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning. Carly Short brought the Wolfpack within a run with a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning, trimming the deficit to 3-2.

NC State tied the game in the sixth when Morgen Talley doubled and later scored on a misplayed throw into the infield following a flyout.

Pitt threatened in the seventh as Henne doubled and Esparza drew a walk, though the Wolfpack worked out of the inning to keep the game tied. The Wolfpack also placed two runners on base in the bottom half of the inning, though Pittman held firm to send the game to extra innings.

Makenzie Reese hit a triple with one out in the eighth inning and scored when Camryn Murphy reached on a throwing error by the third baseman, giving Pitt a 4-3 lead. Vaughn later added an infield single to second base that allowed Murphy to score from second, extending the advantage to 5-3.

Pittman closed the door in the bottom of the eighth, retiring three of four batters to secure the extra-inning victory and the series win for the Panthers.

Pitt returns home Tuesday to host Youngstown State at 4 p.m.