University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Cal State Fullerton
Amber Johnson And Danielle Spaulding Combine To No-Hit CS Fullerton; Heels Win, 6-0
March 9, 2010 | Softball
Three of the previous no-hitters were courtesy of Danielle Spaulding with Johnson hurling the other one vs. Pittsburgh earlier this season.
Spaulding dominated the Fullerton lineup striking out 9 batters in four innings of work. Spaulding, the past two-year ACC Player of the Year, is the current career leader in strikeouts per seven innings and third all-time with an 11.9 strike out rate.
Carolina had a difficult time getting the offense rolling. Through the first two innings only Anna Roberts got a hit on a single up the middle.
In the top of the third, Christine Knauer reached base on an infield single hit to third base. With the next batter up, Knauer took off for second base, successfully stealing for an ACC-leading 18th time.
In the fifth inning, Amber Johnson came in to relieve Spaulding. The relief appearance is Johnson's third this season. Johnson retired the Titans in order to maintain the game scoreless, 0-0 through five innings.
Two walks from Christine Knauer and Dani Manko finally gave the Tar Heels base runners in the top of the sixth. The next batter, Danielle Spaulding, pounded a line drive double down the left field line, scoring both runners to finally give the Tar Heels a lead. Later in the inning, with Brittany Robinson on second, Anna Roberts hit a home run to left-center. The home run continued to distance the Carolina lead to 4-0. Greenville, N.C. native now has two home runs this season. The two RBIs gives Roberts 14 on the season, second on the team behind Spaulding.
Carolina continued to put runs on the board in the seventh with Haleigh Dickey knocking in Chelsea Butler and Christine Knauer to put Carolina up, 6-0. The two RBIs give Dickey six this season in only seven at bats.
In the bottom of the seventh, Amber Johnson walked the first batter of the inning to break the perfect game. Johnson retired the next three batters to seal the no-hitter.
Johnson received the win and is now 9-2 on the season.
Carolina next takes the field tomorrow facing off against the No. 5 UCLA Bruins on their home field.
