University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
Tar Heels Drop Opening Game Of ACC Tournament To Georgia Tech 3-1
May 9, 2003 | Softball
May 9, 2003
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In a rematch of last year's Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, North Carolina dropped a 3-1 decision to Georgia Tech in the ACC quarterfinals at the Seminole Softball Complex this afternoon. Yellow Jackets' pitcher Jessica Sallinger fired a two-hitter, striking out nine to send the Tar Heels to the elimination bracket of the tournament. UNC falls to 39-19-1, while Tech improves to 36-21.
Georgia Tech threatened in the top of the first inning putting the first two runners on base by an UNC error and a walk. The Tar Heels escaped the inning with no damage with two pop outs and a line out to short stop.
The Yellow Jackets jumped out in front in the second inning on a two-run home run to left field by Tasha Waugh as UNC trailed 2-0 after two innings of play.
Senior centerfielder Tiffany Tolleson (Winter Haven, Fla.) broke up GT's Jessica Sallinger's no-hitter in the bottom of the third inning with a two-out single to left field. Freshman second baseman Megan Welch (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) then sent a ball to right field on a hit-and-run but the Yellow Jacket rightfielder retreated back to make the grab as the Tar Heels remained down two.
The Ramblin Wreck added another unearned run in the fourth inning on a lazy fly ball to right field with two outs as it was dropped and Kirin Kumar scored after doubling to center field earlier in the inning.
UNC went down in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings as the game moved to the seventh inning with Georgia Tech leading 3-0.
Carolina managed an unearned run in the last inning on a walk and a base hit by junior third baseman Dionne Streete (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) to score on a three-base error by the Georgia Tech rightfielder as the Tar Heels fell by two, 3-1.
Freshman pitcher Crystal Cox (Harrisburg, N.C.) threw her 23rd complete game, allowing five hits, one earned run and struck out five. Cox falls to 24-11 on the season. Sallinger improves to 21-13 on the year.
UNC scored one run, on two hits and three errors, while Georgia Tech scored three runs, on five hits and one error.
Carolina will face Maryland in the first game of the elimination bracket at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning. If the Tar Heels win that game, they will face the loser of Virginia and top seed Florida State at 5 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. All games can be followed on GameTracker at TarHeelBlue.com.
