University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Maryland
Carolina Bounces Back With Win Over Maryland, 4-0
April 18, 2010 | Softball
April 18, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- After dropping the first two games of the series yesterday, No. 23 North Carolina (35-15, 9-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) responded with a 4-0 victory over the Maryland Terrapins (27-18, 5-9 ACC) on Senior Day at Anderson Stadium. Catcher Brittany McKinney led the Tar Heels offensively with a two-run home run in the third inning and senior pitcher Danielle Spaulding stifled the Terrapins by pitching a complete game two-hit shut out for Carolina.
On Senior Day, UNC Head Coach Donna Papa turned to an upperclassman-laden line up featuring four seniors and three juniors.
"We had a more experienced line up out there today. We had more upperclassman out there that we started the season with," Coach Papa said. "We went back to that today."
Spaulding, who is the reigning two-time ACC Player of the Year, retired the Terrapins in order until the fifth inning when Maryland's Alex Schultz singled up the middle. Spaulding walked the next batter, Hickey, but worked her way out of the jam and maintained the shut out. The fifth inning was the only threat Maryland gave Spaulding during the game. The senior from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. faced 22 batters and forced 21 outs.
Spaulding received the win, which advanced her record to 16-3 this season. The two-time All-America selection, who fanned 15 Terrapin batters in yesterday's first game of the doubleheader, ended today's game with nine strikeouts.
Carolina gathered seven hits as a team during the game against Maryland combination of starting pitcher Kendra Knight and reliever Kerry Hickey. Knight yielded three runs (one earned), on five hits. Knight received the loss for Maryland and her record falls to 10-9 on the year.
Carolina struck early in the bottom of the second inning when Chelsea Butler, pinch running for Kelli Wheeler, scored on a Constance Orr single through the right side.
"I think Constance's hit was huge for us," Coach Papa said of the sophomore first baseman. "It showed a lot of confidence on her part to go out and get that hit."
The Tar Heels furthered the lead in the next inning when Brittany McKinney hit a home run to left field and scored Anna Roberts. The home run, McKinney's tenth of the season, gave Carolina a 3-0 lead after three innings.
Hickey entered in relief for Knight in the bottom of the fifth.
Christine Knauer started the inning with an infield single against the new pitcher. The next batter, Roberts, doubled to right-center for her fifth straight game with an extra-base hit. With Spaulding at bat, Hickey sailed a wild pitch over the catcher to score Knauer and give Carolina a 4-0 lead.
"Anna Roberts was really outstanding this weekend. From her time as a freshman she has grown as a player. In yesterday's games, she threw two players out at home," Coach Papa said about her senior outfielder. "She has a great arm, great game sense and she is an excellent hitter. I think everything just came together for her this weekend."
With the four-run lead after five innings, Spaulding retired the next six Maryland batters to give Carolina the 4-0 win.
"It was a big victory for the team today. We wanted everybody on this team to be in the moment and not just talk about being in the moment," Coach Papa said. "Everyone had an assignment either to cheer after a strikeout or a good hit. It helped everyone stay focused and provided a light atmosphere."
Carolina returns back to the diamond on Tuesday, April 20, with a home game against (22-19) Appalachian State at 5 p.m.
