University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Charlotte
Tar Heels Take Doubleheader At Charlotte
March 24, 2010 | Softball
March 24, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina softball team swept a doubleheader at Charlotte on Tuesday, winning the first game 6-1 and the second 9-4 to improve to 22-8 on the year. No. 21 UNC totaled 23 hits in the two games, while senior pitcher Amber Johnson earned both wins to up her record to 14-6 overall.
In Game 1, catcher Ally Blake led the way, going 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI.
UNC got on the board in the top of the first, when shortstop Christine Knauer reached on a single, stole second and scored on a two-out single by designated player Brittany McKinney.
Charlotte, which fell to 18-5, scored its only run in the bottom of the inning, when leadoff batter Whitney Williams doubled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt then scored on an RBI double by Serena Smith.
UNC added to its lead in the top of the second when left fielder Kelli Wheeler opened with a solo home run to center. Blake's first home run came in the top of the third, scoring centerfielder Dani Manko, who had reached on a single.
The Tar Heels added to their total in the top of the fifth, when pinch runner Tisha Mahon, who replaced Constance Orr after Orr opened the inning with a single, scored on another single by McKinney, who was 2-for-3 in the game.
lake led off the seventh with another home run, her fourth of the season, to boost the score to 6-1.
Johnson struck out nine, walked none and allowed five hits in picking up the complete-game victory.
In the second, Johnson threw the first six innings, allowing just one run and four hits while striking out four. Orr took the mound for the seventh inning and allowed three runs on four hits before UNC got the final out.
Knauer went 4-for-5 to lead the Tar Heels' 14-hit effort in the second game of the doubleheader. Wheeler, Orr and Robinson had two RBI each. The Tar Heels scored two runs in the top of the first then were quiet until the sixth, when they scored seven runs in the game's final two innings. Robinson had a two-RBI triple in the sixth inning, and the other run scored on a pinch-hit double by Haleigh Dickey that brought home Robinson.
The seventh inning was highlighted by Orr's 2 RBI homer and Wheeler's RBI triple. The other run scored on an RBI single by Elisha Elliott.
The Tar Heels return to action on Thursday, hosting UNC Wilmington for a 4 p.m. game.
