University of North Carolina Athletics
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DePaul
Tar Heels Wrap Up Texas Invitational, Beat DePaul 4-1
February 14, 2010 | Softball
Feb. 14, 2010
AUSTIN --- In the Third Place Game of the Texas Invitational the No. 19/22 North Carolina Tar Heels faced off against the No. 20/21 DePaul Blue Demons in a thrilling game that finished, 4-1. The win gives the Tar Heels a 2-3 overall record before next weekend's Carolina Classic. Third baseman Brittany Robinson maintained her hot streak adding two RBIs for the Tar Heels.
The skies were clear and temperatures were in the mid-60s on a beautiful day in Austin. The tournament was played at the terrific facilities at Red & Charline McCombs Field. The impeccable field condition and weather combined to make for a great day of softball.
Anna Roberts made the finest defensive play of the tournament so far for Carolina when she gunned down DePaul's leadoff hitter, who took a wide lead off of first, after catching a pop fly to right field. Roberts transitioned the good play to the plate where she maintained a steady batting-eye and walked. A Danielle Spaulding hard-hit line drive up the middle scored Knauer who had reached via a bunt. Brittany Robinson, the next batter up, doubled to center field to score Anna Roberts and give the Tar Heels a two run lead.
DePaul responded with a solo home run over the left field fence from designated hitter Samantha Morgan. The towering shot cut the deficit in half to 2-1.
In another spectacular defensive play from the Tar Heels, pitcher Danielle Spaulding batted down a line drive up the middle, third baseman Brittany Robinson then picked up the deflected ball and threw the runner out at first base to make the third out.
Starting pitcher Danielle Spaulding (1-1) pitched three innings giving up only one run courtesy of the Morgan home run.
In the top of fourth inning, Amber Johnson came on to relieve Spaulding. The senior starter inherited two runners on first and second base, but retired three out of the next four Blue Demon batters to leave the inning without allowing a run.
After the first inning DePaul relieved pitcher Becca Heteniak with Bree Brown. Brown cooled down the Tar Heels not allowing a run for the next three innings.
Carolina added insurance to the lead with a opposite field hit to right field from senior Anna Roberts. The shot went over the right fielder's head and Roberts displayed her speed rounding second and taking third standing up. The hit scored Christine Knauer from second base.
With Roberts on third, Brittany Robinson continued her hot streak by singling to center field scoring Roberts. The RBI is Robinson's second of the game and fourth of the tournament.
Johnson received the win (1-2) for her final four innings of maintaining the lead.
Carolina returns to action next weekend at the Carolina Classic facing off against teams: Delaware, St. Joseph's and UNC Greensboro. North Carolina will play host to the three day tournament beginning Friday at 1:30 p.m. (EST).
