University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NC State
Wolfpack Upends No. 19 North Carolina, 5-1, In Series Finale
March 28, 2010 | Softball
March 28, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- Led by a three-run fourth inning the (20-15, 3-3 ACC) NC State Wolfpack defeated No. 19 North Carolina, 5-1, in the weekend series finale at Anderson Stadium. The loss drops the Tar Heels to 24-10 on the season and gives Carolina a 4-5 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Christine Knauer led the Tar Heels by going 2-for-3 at the plate and stealing her ACC-leading 26th base of the season.
After a scoreless first inning from both teams NC State struck first when Alyssa Allbritten hit a RBI double in the top of the second. With today's loss, Carolina is now 2-7 in games where the opposition scores first.
Danielle Spaulding (9-2), who is still recovering from a hand injury, received the start for the Tar Heels and lasted only 1.2 innings before senior Amber Johnson was called into relief. Johnson (15-8) pitched the remaining 5.1 innings of the game, striking out five Wolfpack batters. The relief appearance is Johnson's seventh of the 2010 season.
"I was just trying to help Amber and the team out by providing some innings," said Spaulding. "Amber has pitched a lot of innings the last couple of weeks I've been out and I want to come back and help the team out anyway I can."
Carolina brought the score to even in the top of the third inning with Christine Knauer scoring on a throwing error by the shortstop.
The Wolfpack responded in the top of the fourth inning scoring three runs on four hits. The scoring rally gave NC State a 4-1 lead.
NC State's Allison Presnell further extended the Wolfpack lead, 5-1, with a solo home run to left field.
Carolina could not muster any further as the Tar Heels fall to 24-10 on the season and drop two-out-of-three games during the weekend series to NC State.
During today's game both teams wore teal uniforms in support of ovarian cancer research. Former Tar Heel Jamie Shaver Mayberry threw out the first pitch for the Second Annual Strike Out Cancer event. All proceeds from today's game will be donated to support ovarian cancer research.
Carolina returns to the field on Tuesday facing off against (10-22) South Carolina at 5 p.m.
