University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Campbell
No. 24 Carolina Sweeps Campbell
March 22, 2006 | Softball
March 22, 2006
CHAPEL HILL --- Senior Crystal Cox and freshman Amber Johnson combined for 21 strikeouts and just one unearned run as the No. 24 North Carolina softball team defeated visiting Campbell, 2-0 and 9-1, Wednesday at Anderson Stadium. Sophomore first baseman Jennifer Jacobs had her second grand slam of the season in the nightcap, which was halted after five innings due to the mercy rule.
Carolina (26-9) took an early lead in game one. Sophomore second baseman Cassie Palmer led off the bottom of the first with her 12th double of the season. After a failed sacrifice attempt, sophomore Casey Testa ripped a solid single to place Palmer.
The bats would fall silent for both teams until the fifth, when Campbell (18-14) looked poised to tie the score. Corri Long led off with a single and Erica Willis followed with a bunt over the drawn in infield to put two on with no one out. After a wild pitch moved both runners up a base, Megan Paul grounded into a fielder's choice, with Palmer throwing out pinch runner Ashley Marley at the plate. Cox (11-5) then took over, inducing a weak pop-up and then ending the inning with a three-pitch strikeout.
The Tar Heels added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame when Testa belted her third home run of the year off the foul pole in left.
The Camels rallied again in the seventh, putting runners on second and third with no one out after a single by Long and a double by Willis. But once again, Cox would rise to the occasion, striking out the side to end the game.
Carolina blew open game two early with a seven-run second. After two outs on two pitches to start the inning, freshman Alyssa Francona got the rally going with her first career home run. Junior outfielder Erin Dudley would follow with a single. Junior catcher Theresa Nicholas then walked, and Palmer reached on an error that scored Dudley. Sophomore left fielder Ashley Oxendine walked to load the bases, and Testa walked to force in Nicholas. Jacobs finally landed the big blow, driving a 2-2 pitch deep into the night for her sixth home run of the year.
After the Tar Heels added a pair of runs in the fourth, the only drama remaining was courtesy of Johnson. The Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., freshman carried a no-hitter into the ffith, but lost it when Karlie Love singled to left center. Johnson would retire the side with a pair of strikeouts to finish the game with 10, tying her career high.
UNC will return to action Saturday with an Atlantic Coast Conference doubleheader against visiting Maryland. First pitch at Anderson Stadium is set for 2 p.m.
