North Carolina
South Carolina
Tar Heel Softball Sweeps No. 20 South Carolina
February 23, 2002 | Softball
Feb. 23, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The University of North Carolina softball team opened its new UNC Softball Complex with a bang Saturday, battling back in both games of a doubleheader to defeat No. 20 South Carolina twice. The Tar Heels (7-5) won the first game 9-8 in 10 innings and the second game 8-1.
"This was a huge day for us," UNC coach Donna Papa said. "I think the team was really energized by playing the first games at our new field. We had never swept South Carolina before and we had to fight back to win both games today."
In the opener, the Gamecocks (9-5) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning. After leadoff batter Jodi Fittro scored on an error to put USC up 1-0, shortstop Amber Curtis hit a three-run homer off the UNC scoreboard beyond the left field fence to give South Carolina a 4-0 lead. Melissa Sandel's RBI triple scored Kristin Hall.
North Carolina started to dig itself out in the second, batting around to score four runs on six hits. Dionne Streete, Emily Price, Tiffany Tolleson, Quinn Porter, Kelly Ramsey and Jessica Young all singled to draw the Tar Heels within a run of USC.
In the bottom of the third, UNC rallied on two outs to take the lead. Rosie Gustavson and Tolleson reached base with singles, then scored on a two-RBI single by Porter that put North Carolina up 6-5.
South Carolina grabbed the advantage again in the top of the fifth when Debralee Troesh singled to score Fittro and Curtis doubled bring Troesh around and give the Gamecocks a 7-6 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Tar Heel senior Natalie Anter homered over the center field fence to tie the score at 7-7, where it would remain until the 10th inning.
In the top of the game's third extra inning, Fittro hit a two-out RBI double to score pinch runner Nancy Crane and give USC the lead. But the Tar Heels came up with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 10th to claim the win. Tolleson led off with a bunt single and reached second on a walk to Porter. Ramsey singled to right to score Tolleson, tying the game with no outs and Porter on third. After Anter was intentionally walked to load the bases, Young singled to right for the winning run.
"We were down 5-0 early and could have folded, but we fought back," Papa said. "We had some key hits, including Jessica's single to win the game and Natalie's home run. Our defense was solid and we played well as a team."
Freshman Erica Ennis, who relieved starter Shannon Walsh in the first inning, threw nine and two-third innings to earn the win. She faced 41 batters, giving up nine hits and three runs.
South Carolina also took an early lead in the second game, 1-0 in the top of the first. Kim Evans, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored on a double to center by Troesh. But the Gamecocks wouldn't manage another run against starter Ashley Allen and reliever Brandi Griffin, both freshmen.
UNC got all the runs it would need in the bottom of the second on a two-RBI double by Allen, who was 2-for-3 at the plate while giving up five hits and one run in five innings on the mound. Griffin pitched the final two innings and didn't allow a hit.
In the bottom of the third, Anter hit a two-run homer, her second of the day and fourth of the season. Two more runs came in the fourth, when Natashalyn Snipes scored on an error and Tolleson came in on an RBI single by Porter. UNC's final runs came in the sixth, when Ramsey doubled to right field to score Tolleson and Porter.
For the day, Tolleson was 5-for-10 at the plate and scored five runs. She leads the team with a season average of .525. Ramsey also was 5-for-10 on the day with four RBI. She and Anter are tied for the team lead with nine RBI.
The Tar Heels' next game is Wednesday, when they travel to UNC Greensboro for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.
Game 1: North Carolina 9, South Carolina 8, 10 innings
USC 500 020 000 1 -- 8 11 1
UNC 042 001 000 2 -- 9 16 1
WP: Erica Ennis (1-1), LP: Aleca Johnson (1-1)
Game 2: North Carolina 8, South Carolina 1
USC 100 000 0 -- 1 5 1
UNC 022 202 X -- 8 13 0
WP: Ashley Allen (2-1), LP: Meghan Cornett (0--1)
