The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1190316
68 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL S econd-year NC State head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift has re- cruited 16 of the 20 players in her program and has watched the team take on her philosophy of "family first, self second." Patrick-Swift has emphasized home runs and putting the best nine hitters on the field at NC State. That resulted in 63 homers last year, which ranked sixth all time in pro- gram history and helped NCSU go 31-27 overall and 9-15 in the ACC. To put that in perspective, the Wolfpack had just 36 home runs during a 23-31 cam- paign (5-18 ACC) in 2018. Patrick-Swift knows one swing of the bat can change the score. "We are going to continue to swing for it," Patrick-Swift said. "In the fall, we had 21 home runs in eight games. That was exciting to see. With 10 newcomers added to the mix that helped continue to make us stronger in year two. "We have heavy power coming back and heavy power coming in. At the end of the day, we are trying to outscore the oppo- nent." The one-two punch of junior leadoff hit- ter Sam Russ, a left fielder, and senior right fielder Brigette Nordberg lead the way. Russ provides elite speed and turns walks and singles into doubles in some ways, thanks to stealing 32 bases in 33 attempts. She led the Wolfpack with a team-best .326 batting average last year. "She sets the tone for us and has a good eye," Patrick-Swift said. "She may be lead- off, but she isn't just looking to get on. I'd challenge her speed on the bases with any player in the country." Nordberg, a former Maryland transfer, AGGRESSIVE APPROACH Power Hitting Has The Pack Aiming High Junior left fielder Sam Russ led the Wolfpack with a .326 batting average, 42 runs scored, 56 hits, five triples and 32 stolen bases last year. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS SOFTBALL PREVIEW ■ Key Series • At NFCA Leadoff Classic, Feb. 7-9 in Clearwater, Fla. — NC State will play Minnesota and Ole Miss Feb. 7, Kentucky and Missouri State Feb. 8, and Mississippi State Feb. 9. Minnesota was ranked No. 12 last year and Ole Miss checked in at No. 17. • Vs. North Carolina, April 17-19 in Raleigh — In a scheduling twist the two programs separated by 25 min- utes or so didn't play in the regular season last year. The Wolfpack lost 6-1 to the Tar Heels in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament when the battle finally took place. The two rivals played this past fall with NC State winning 5-4 in 10 innings Oct. 6. • ACC Softball Championship, May 6-9 in Louisville, Ky. — The ACC had two teams ranked in the top 25 last year, led by No. 4 Florida State and No. 22 Virginia Tech. The Seminoles won their sixth straight league title.