North Carolina
Robert Morris
UNC Sweeps Robert Morris and Central Florida Behind Dominant Pitching and Hitting
March 9, 2004 | Softball
March 9, 2004
St. Augustine, Fla. - North Carolina dominated day two of the Triple Crown Sports Spring Fling as the Tar Heels beat Robert Morris 14-0 in five innings and Crystal Cox shutdown Central Florida 4-0, as she pitched her third career no-hitter and first of the season. The Tar Heels swept the Spring Fling, winning all three games without allowing a single run.
In the 14-0 win over Robert Morris, leadoff hitter Dionne Streete continued her strong hitting with a 4-4 performance and three runs scored. Brandi Griffin went 2-4 and drove in a career high five runs to lead Carolina.
"We really needed that win," said UNC head coach Donna J. Papa. "This past weekend we had real trouble scoring runs and in this game for us to get 14 runs and 16 hits, I think that we made the most of our opportunities. We had people in the lineup who produced that hadn't been in the lineup much before, like Theresa Nicholas and Brandi Griffin. Everybody really contributed. Our defense and pitching waqs really strong as well.
In the first inning UNC started the offensive barrage, as they scored four runs to go up 4-0. Emily Price and Jessica Young drove in the first two runs with back-to-back hits and then Griffin hit a two-out double knocking in two runs.
UNC continued the offense in the third inning, as Anna Evans and Joslin Higgins hit RBI singles. In the fourth inning, UNC widened their lead. Streete led the inning off with a double and then a stolen base. Following two outs and a walk, Evans finally scored Streete with an RBI single. Griffin hit a bases loaded double scoring all three runners to make the score 10-0.
Carolina added four more runs in the fifth inning as they used six pinch hitters in the inning. Alison Yin pitched five shutout innings for the win to improve to 6-5 on the season. She allowed just three hits and one walk, while striking out two.
"These two days were a total difference from the FAU Invitational where we couldn't score a run," said Papa. "I think what was good is that we took control of the game early. In every game we scored first and that was something we really wanted to do here."
In the second game of the day, the Tar Heels were led by clutch hitting by Streete and a brilliant no-hit performance by Cox. The Tar Heels took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Theresa Nicholas knocked in Erin Dudley with a RBI single. UNC failed to score another run until the six inning, but Cox kept Carolina in front as she silenced the UCF bats. Streete hit a bases-loaded in the sixth inning to make the score 4-0 and relieve some pressure from Cox as she went into the seventh with her no-hitter. Cox retired the Central Florida hitters 1-2-3 to secure her third career no-hitter.
"For a pitcher to throw a no-hitter it is always a feat for that person, but also a feat for the defense as well. They did a great job," said Papa. "Crystal had great movement on her pitches and hit her spots. She did a really nice job."
Game One Score by Innings R H E -------------------------------------- North Carolina...... 402 44 - 14 16 0 Robert Morris....... 000 00 - 0 3 0 --------------------------------------LOB - NC 5; RMU 4. 2B - Streete 2; Price; Hoffmann; Young; Nicholas; Griffin 2. SH - Dudley. SB - Streete 2; May. CS - Evans.
North Carolina IP H R ER BB SO AB BF ----------------------------------------------- Alison Yin.......... 5.0 3 0 0 1 2 18 19
Robert Morris IP H R ER BB SO AB BF ----------------------------------------------- Riggle, Erica....... 5.0 16 14 14 4 2 29 34
Win - Yin (6-5). Loss - Riggle, E. (). Save - None.
Game Two> Score by Innings R H E ----------------------------------------- Central Florida..... 000 000 0 - 0 0 0 North Carolina...... 100 003 X - 4 6 0 -----------------------------------------
DP - UCF 1. LOB - UCF 3; NC 7. 2B - Streete. SH - Nicholas. SB - SHINHOSTER.
Central Florida IP H R ER BB SO AB BF ----------------------------------------------- ENDERS, Lindsay..... 6.0 6 4 4 5 3 23 29
North Carolina IP H R ER BB SO AB BF ----------------------------------------------- Crystal Cox......... 7.0 0 0 0 3 9 21 24
Win - Cox (8-5). Loss - ENDERS (8-3). Save - None.
