University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Florida State
No. 15 Tar Heels Drop Doubleheader To No. 24 Seminoles
March 10, 2009 | Softball
March 10, 2009
Game 2 Box Score
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After taking the Atlantic Coast Conference opener over Florida State on Monday, the No. 15 North Carolina softball team dropped a doubleheader on Tuesday at Anderson Stadium to the No. 24 Seminoles, 6-2 and 4-1. Sophomore Brittany McKinney continued her hot hitting as she went 5 for 7 in the twinbill but it was not enough as the Tar Heels fell to 19-5 on the year and 1-2 in conference play, while Florida State improved to 18-5 overall and 2-1 in the ACC. Carolina will be back in action on Friday, March 13 when the Tar Heels take part in the Coastal Carolina Classic in Conway, S.C.
Florida State struck first in the opener when Carly Wynn connected on a solo shot down the right field line off of starter Danielle Spaulding who had been cruising to that point, picking up four strikeouts through the first two innings. Wynn's shot would be nullified in the bottom half of the third when three straight singles by Constance Orr, Christine Knauer and Breanna Brown tied the contest at 1-1.
The Seminoles answered right back in the top half of the fourth with another solo home run this time off the bat of Kaleigh Rafter to lead off the inning. FSU would add another run in the top of the sixth with an RBI single before taking advantage of a Tar Heel error in the seventh to score three unearned runs for the 6-2 win.
The Tar Heels looked to get back on track in game two as leadoff hitter Christine Knauer drew a walk and made her way third on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout but she was unable to score an early for Carolina. Florida State used the long ball once again in the top of the second when designated player Mallory Borden drove a ball to left center that cleared the glove of the leaping Breanna Brown for the 1-0 lead.
Carolina moved a runner to third in both the second and third but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities and trailed heading into the fourth inning. The Seminoles took advantage of a compound error by Carolina in the top half of the inning after picking up back-to-back singles. Pinch hitter Allison Collins battled starter Lisa Norris through a 12-pitch at bat before hitting a grounder to shortstop that was misplayed by Christine Knauer. After Borden had scored from third on the play Jessica Gilmore screamed past third and first baseman Constance Orr ran her back to third but Collins alertly headed for second forcing a throw that was mishandled by Kelsey Green allowing Gilmore to score and give FSU a 4-0 advantage.
Carolina was able to get a run back in the bottom of the fifth when they loaded the bases with nobody out. After a strikeout Orr hit a grounder to short that was scooped up and fired to first for the second out, while Knauer scored from third on the play. A grounder back to the pitcher would end the threat and any chance of Carolina getting back into the game as Florida State went on to win the game and the series, 4-1.
The Tar Heels will take on Michigan State, No. 14 Missouri and Coastal Carolina this weekend at the Coastal Carolina Classic in Conway, S.C. beginning Friday, March 13.
