University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Georgia
No. 9/10 Georgia Slips By Carolina 1-0 In Championship Game
April 20, 2003 | Softball
April 20, 2003
ATHENS, Ga. - The University of North Carolina softball team dropped a heartbreaker to No. 9/10 Georgia, 1-0, in the championship game of the Georgia Tournament. The Bulldogs scored a controversial run in the top of the seventh inning to vault them over the Tar Heels and end UNC's eight-game winning streak. UNC falls to 36-17-1, while Georgia improves to 46-9.
The championship game picked up where yesterday's game ended with both pitchers dominating the hitters. Freshman Crystal Cox (Harrisburg, N.C.) retired 18 of 21 batters she faced holding the Bulldogs scoreless through six innings of play.
UNC freshman Megan Welch (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) walked for the second time in the game in the bottom of the third inning and senior Quinn Porter (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) followed with a single up the middle. Freshman Jaclyn Holden (Santa Clarita, Calif.) sent a ball to the warning track before UGA's left fielder tracked it down and made the play.
Georgia put a runner at third base with two outs for its first scoring threat of the ballgame, but Cox struck out her third hitter of the game to keep UGA off the scoreboard.
Welch led off the sixth inning with a base hit to left field. Porter then sent a rocket right to the second baseman and Holden lined out to center field. Welch stole second base to give the Tar Heels a runner in scoring position, but UNC failed to drive her in as the game headed to the seventh inning scoreless.
UGA began the seventh with a bunt single to first base. The Tar Heels then threw a bunt away on the next play to put runners at first and third with no outs. Cox induced a ground out to second base and Welch fired home but the umpire called the runner safe as UNC trailed 1-0.
Georgia sacrificed the runners over to second and third and the next Bulldog hitter was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, UGA popped out to the catcher and the runner from third was thrown out at home trying to advance as UNC headed to the bottom of the seventh tailing by one, 1-0.
Georgia pitcher Michelle Green retired UNC in order as Georgia claimed the Georgia Tournament Championship.
Cox threw seven innings, allowing four hits, one unearned run and struck out five Bulldog hitters. She falls to 22-9 on the season.
Carolina had no runs, on three hits and one error, while Georgia scored one run, on four hits and no errors.
North Carolina will host UNC Greensboro Wednesday, April 23 on senior day at the UNC Softball Complex. The doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m. All games at the complex are free admission.
