University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Fairfield
UNC Takes First Game Of The Tar Heel Invitational Over Fairfield, 2-0
February 26, 2010 | Softball
Feb. 26, 2010
Chapel Hill, N.C. --- The No. 23 North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Fairfield Stags 2-0 at the Tar Heel Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. The strong west wind and cold temperature made it a difficult game for the teams' offenses to get on track. Senior Pitcher Amber Johnson continued her hot start to the 2010 season and did not yield a run in seven innings.
Offensively the Tar Heels had a difficult time converting runners on base into runs. For the game Carolina had eight hits and walked three times but could only manufacture two runs against Fairfield pitcher Sarah Minice. At the end the game the Tar Heels had left eight runners on base. The Tar Heels were led with great pitching by Amber Johnson with twelve strikeouts compared to only two hits. She improved to 4-2 on the season with the win and her fourth shutout of the season. Johnson continually baffled Stag hitters with her pitches. The 12 strikeouts is the second most in a game this season for Johnson. The Tar Heels two runs came in a strong second inning with two different players scoring for the Heels, Tisha Mahon then Brittany McKinney. Overall, the Tar Heels had eight hits with strong at bat efforts from Christine Knauer, Ally Blake and Kelsey Green. Each had two hits apiece. Mahon's scored for the sixth consecutive game this season.
In Fairfield's first game of the season they kept Carolina to only two runs but could not find a way to score. Their best scoring opportunity of the game came in the second inning with Dani Griswold in scoring position. However, the Tar Heels were able to get three straight outs and diffuse the situation. Griswold led the Stags with two hits.
In the fourth Inning, the Stags prevented a big scoring opportunity as the Tar Heels had the bases loaded with pitch hitter Stephanie Murad up to bat. She unfortunately could not convert when her high fly ball was fielded by shortstop Kristie Trifiolis. This was a consistent theme for the Tar Heels on the day - able to get runners on base and in scoring position, but then not finding a way to bring them home.
Overall it was a very strong defensive performance and a great start to the Tar Heel Invitational for Carolina. They look to advance in the tournament with two more games left of round-robin pool play and then the conclusion of the tournament with the Championship game on Sunday, February 28th.
North Carolina's next game is tonight against James Madison University at 4 p.m. at Williams Field. The Tar Heel Invitational continues Saturday morning with Fairfield facing Pittsburgh.
