University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Chattanooga
Tar Heels Clip Lady Mocs 2-0 and 7-5
April 2, 2003 | Softball
April 2, 2003
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The University of North Carolina softball team downed Chattanooga, 2-0 and 7-5, this afternoon in Jim Frost Stadium to earn a doubleheader sweep. The Tar Heels scored two runs in the sixth inning of game one for the two-run victory and unleashed 14 hits in the nightcap to earn their 18th win in 19 tries. UNC improves to 28-14 overall, while UTC falls to 22-23.
In the opener, neither team managed a run in the first five innings as the game headed to the sixth inning scoreless. Carolina got on the board in the sixth as senior Anna Tharrington (Rocky Mount, N.C.) doubled to center field and sophomore Jessica Young (Santa Ana, Calif.) drove her in with a double to center field to give UNC a 1-0 lead. Junior Natashalyn Snipes (Durham, N.C.) later scored on a wild pitch from third base as the Tar Heels led 2-0 heading into the seventh inning.
Freshman pitcher Crystal Cox (Harrisburg, N.C.) retired the Lady Mocs in order in the seventh to tally her seventh complete-game shutout of the season. She scattered five hits and struck out three to improve to 16-7.
Carolina scored two runs, on six hits and no errors, while Chattanooga had no runs, on six hits and no errors.
In the nightcap, the Tar Heels jumped ahead in the first inning with three hits. Tolleson led off with a single and scored on a RBI single by senior Quinn Porter (Wesley Chapel, Fla.). UTC's Jennifer Reed drove in an unearned run for the Lady Mocs in the bottom of the first as the game moved to the second tied at one.
Freshman catcher Michelle Hoffmann (Huntington Beach, Calif.) wasted little time giving the Tar Heels back the lead with a leadoff home run to right field on the first pitch of the second inning. Junior Jessica Robinson (Asheville, N.C.) and Young hit two straight singles to knock the UTC starter out of the game. UNC failed to convert on first and second with no outs as they held a slim 2-1 advantage after two innings of play.
Carolina scored another run in the third inning on a squeeze play by junior Dionne Streete (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) to score teammate Price who earlier tripled to right center. UNC loaded the bases in the fourth inning and collected all three runners as Porter delivered with a double to left center field for three RBIs as the Heels increased their lead to five, 6-1.
Chattanooga answered UNC's three-run fourth with three of its own as Lindsey Brown slugged a three-run homer to center field as Carolina's lead was cut to two, 6-4. The Lady Mocs loaded the bases in the fifth inning but were unable to capitalize as the Heels continued to lead by two.
Freshman first baseman Jaclyn Holden (Santa Clarita, Calif.) slammed a double off the fence in the sixth inning scoring Welch as UNC led 7-4.
UTC began the seventh inning with a single and a double to put runners at second and third with no outs. Cox entered the game for the Tar Heels to try and earn her second save of the season. UNC intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases with no outs.
Chattanooga scored a run on a fielder's choice on the next play to get within two with nobody out. Cox struck out the side to end the Lady Moc threat as the Heels held off the Lady Mocs 7-5.
Hoffman and Porter led the Tar Heels offensively in game two. Porter ended the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs, while Hoffmann went 2-for-4 with one home run and one RBI. Young finished the day 2-for-5 with a double.
Freshman pitcher Alison Yin (Glendale, Calif.) picked up her 11th win of the season, throwing six innings, allowing eight hits, five runs and three unearned runs. Cox picked up her second save of the season for Carolina.
Carolina scored seven runs, on 14 hits and two errors, while UTC scored five runs, on eight hits and two errors.
The Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill to open up Atlantic Coast Conference play against No. 16 Florida State, Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. The Seminoles swept Maryland last week in their ACC opener and enter Saturday's games with a 28-9, 2-0 ACC overall record.
