University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Toledo
Johnson's No-Hitter Highlights Triangle Classic Sweep
February 17, 2006 | Softball
Feb. 17, 2006
CHAPEL HILL --- Freshman Amber Johnson threw her first career no-hitter and senior Crystal Cox struck out 13 in a complete game win to lead the No. 24 University of North Carolina softball team to wins over Toledo and Coastal Carolina on the first day of the Triangle Classic Friday at Anderson Stadium. Johnson (3-0) got the win in a 7-0 victory over Toledo, while Cox (3-1) got the decision in a 5-1 win over Coastal.
Carolina (8-1) scored all the runs it would need in game one in the top of the first inning. Sophomore second baseman Cassie Palmer was hit by a pitch and took second on sophomore outfielder Ashley Oxendine's infield single. Palmer then advanced to third on a flyout and scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore designated player Casey Testa. Junior third baseman Joslin Higgins then plated Oxendine with a two-out single.
The Tar Heels added an unearned run in the second when Palmer reached on an error and scored Testa's RBI single. Higgins quickly made it 4-0 in the third with a long leadoff home run to left. UNC added two more unearned runs in the third on RBIs by Palmer and Oxendine.
Johnson cruised through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. The Rockets (0-1) loaded the bases thanks to a walk, an error and a hit by pitch and looked poised to make a dent in the Tar Heel lead. But junior shortstop Anna Evans cut down one runner at the plate and freshman center fielder Breanna Brown caught a fly ball and threw a perfect strike to complete a double play to end the inning and keep Toledo off the scoreboard.
The Rockets would only reach base on UNC errors after that and Johnson induced a pop out for the final out of her first career no-hitter. The Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., native also struck out eight batters on the afternoon.
Coastal Carolina (1-4) threatened in the top of the first in game two, loading the bases with two outs. But Cox struck out Ashley Gerdts to end the threat and strand three Chanticleers. The Tar Heels would score first in the second as Evans drove a 3-2 pitch to left to score junior Marissa May, who pinch ran for Testa. Freshman third baseman Alyssa Francona then singled home Evans to give UNC a 2-0 advantage.
The Chants would get one back in the third thanks to a bases-loaded fielder's choice. But Coastal would get no more, as Cox induced a ground out and a strikeout to end the rally.
The Tar Heels quickly added to their lead in the bottom of the third, as Palmer led off with a sharp double to left. Oxendine then bunted her to third and sophomore first baseman Jennifer Jacobs blasted a long home run to right to make it 4-1. Testa later walked and scored after a Brown single and a Coastal error.
Cox would dominate the rest of the way, allowing just one hit and striking out seven over the final four innings.
Carolina will now wait on the weather to see when it plays again. Saturday's games in the Triangle Classic have already been cancelled. Stay tuned to TarHeelBlue.com for the latest news regarding Sunday's games.
