The University of Louisville softball team defeated North Carolina State University by a score of 5-1 on May 1 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Alyssa Zabala pitched her third complete game of the season for Louisville, allowing only one run and four hits while striking out three batters.
This win brings Louisville’s record to 42-10 overall and 17-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The victory marks another strong performance as they continue their season.
Bri Despines contributed significantly to the offense, going two-for-three at the plate with two runs batted in, including her eighth home run of the year. Madison Pickens added two RBIs on a single hit. Despines, Mack, and Riley Janda accounted for all five runs scored by Louisville.
Louisville took an early lead after Mack singled and later scored along with Despines when Pickens hit a single up the middle. The Cardinals extended their advantage with bases-loaded walks to Despines and Camryn Lookadoo in the second inning. NC State managed its only run with a solo home run in the bottom half of that inning.
Despines led off the fourth inning with a home run to right field, while Zabala kept NC State from rallying by retiring seven straight batters over the final two innings. The teams will continue their series on Saturday, May 2 at Dail Stadium.
