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Carolina Softball Splits Doubleheader with NC State
March 27, 2010 | Softball
March 27, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- North Carolina (24-9, 4-4 ACC) splits today's doubleheader with NC State (19-15, 2-3 ACC) dropping the first game, 3-2 and winning the second game by the same score, 3-2, in front of a full crowd at Anderson Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Senior Amber Johnson appeared in both contests, starting game one at pitcher and protecting the Tar Heels' one-run lead to earn her first save of the year in game two. The Tar Heels and Wolfpack conclude the three-game series at 1 p.m. Sunday in Chapel Hill.
Game 1
North Carolina dropped game one of Saturday's doubleheader with NC State, 3-2. Kelli Wheeler led the way for the Tar Heels offensively by going 2-for-3 and accumulating both of Carolina's RBIs.
Carolina got off to an early lead when Wheeler singled in catcher Ally Blake in the bottom of the first. The infield single gave the Tar Heels an early 1-0 lead. Carolina has now scored first in 26 of 33 games this season, winning 23 of the 26 Tar Heel first-score games.
Carolina carried the 1-0 lead until the Wolfpack put three runs on the board in the top of the fifth. During the three-run inning the Wolfpack added three hits all on infield singles.
With the Tar Heels trailing 3-1 in the top of the sixth, Kelli Wheeler brought the Tar Heels back within striking distance, 3-2, when she doubled to left-center field and scored pinch runner Tisha Mahon.
Carolina could not muster any further offense as the Tar Heels drop their first game to the Wolfpack since 2007. Prior to this game Carolina had won the past seven games between the teams.
Amber Johnson (15-7) pitched all seven innings allowing three hits, two earned runs and struck out six batters in the Tar Heels loss.
Game 2
In game two of Saturday's doubleheader against NC State, North Carolina used an early offensive surge to down the Wolfpack, 3-2, at Anderson Stadium. The Wolfpack nearly closed the gap in the fifth inning, but senior Amber Johnson entered in relief to earn her first save of the season. Second baseman Brittany Robinson knocked in two RBIs to give the Tar Heels its 24th victory of the season.
Christine Knauer started Carolina's first inning offensive surge with a single through the shortstop-third baseman gap. During the next at bat Knauer stole second base for an ACC-leading 25th time this season. A sacrifice bunt from Anna Roberts moved Knauer into scoring position at third before she would score on an Ally Blake single to right field. After a Brittany McKinney single and a Wheeler walk loaded the bases, Robinson brought in Blake and McKinney with a single to right field. The two-RBI hit gave Carolina a 3-0 lead.
NC State fought back in the fifth inning when third baseman Bridget Desbois hit a two-run home run to left field. The home run brought the score to a 3-2 Tar Heel lead.
In the sixth inning, with a Wolfpack runner on second base, UNC Pitching Coach Beverly Smith called upon Amber Johnson to enter the game in relief of the starter Spaulding. Johnson, in her sixth relief appearance of the season, pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings and earned her first save of the season by protecting Carolina's 3-2 lead.
Today's start by Spaulding is her second since returning from a hand injury sustained two weeks ago. Earlier this week Spaulding pitched three scoreless innings against UNC Wilmington. After today's game, the past-two year ACC Player of the Year still leads the ACC with a 0.85 ERA.
Carolina and NC State return to the field on Sunday to conclude the three-game weekend series. During the game former Tar Heel Jamie Mayberry will throw out the first pitch as Carolina hosts its second annual Strike Out Cancer Event. The Tar Heels and Wolfpack will both sport teal shirts in support of ovarian cancer research.
Inflatable games and free cotton candy will be open for everyone on the upper field beginning at 12 p.m. The UNC Softball Camp will be selling t-shirts for $20.00. All profits will be donated to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center benefitting research for ovarian cancer.
