University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Florida State
McKinney Powers No. 15 Tar Heels Past Seminoles
March 9, 2009 | Softball
March 9, 2009
A solo home run off the bat of Brittany McKinney would be all the scoring No. 15 North Carolina would need in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener Monday afternoon at Anderson Stadium as the Tar Heels claimed a 1-0 win over No. 25 Florida State. Florida State and North Carolina will continue the three game series on Tuesday when the teams battle in a doubleheader scheduled for 3 p.m.
oth teams were unable to take advantage of early opportunities. Florida State loaded the bases in the top of the first as Carly Wynn led off with a single to left and an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt put runners on first and second with nobody out. A grounder to first base put one out on the board and moved both runners into scoring position. Ashley Stager would be hit by a pitch loading the bases but starter Lisa Norris settled down and got the next two batters on strike.
The Seminoles would move another runner to third in the top of the second on a stolen base and a throwing error on Brittany McKinney but the Tar Heels were able to escape as Norris forced a fly out to end the inning.
The Tar Heels staged a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth when McKinney led off with a single through the left side followed by a walk by Emily Troup. Head coach Donna J. Papa brought on a pair of runners in Kelsey Green and Brittany Robinson as Whitney Allen stepped to the plate. Allen caught a pitch on her left arm drawing the free pass to first and loading the bases for Anna Roberts. After fouling the first pitch and missing on the second she laced a ball to the shortstop who quickly fired to second to end the threat.
A one out single in the fifth would be the last hit of the night for Florida State as Norris set down the side in order in the sixth and seventh, racking up four strikeouts in the process.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth Brittany McKinney stepped to the plate and with two strikes on her delivered a fly ball to dead center field that eked its way over the fence to give Carolina a 1-0 lead before Norris closed the door on the Seminoles. Norris finished the day with 12 strikeouts after racking up 30 in two starts over the weekend.
The Seminoles and Tar Heels will meet for a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
