University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia
No. 22 Softball Falls To Virginia, 5-4
April 2, 2010 | Softball
April 2, 2010
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. ---- No. 22 North Carolina (26-12, 4-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) started the three-game weekend series by dropping the first game, 5-4, to ACC-leading Virginia (20-13, 6-0 ACC) Friday afternoon in Charlottesville. Senior Stephanie Murad slammed a pinch-hit home run, but a three run fifth inning from Virginia gave the Cavaliers the edge.
To start the game Virginia jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with back-to-back two-out home runs from seniors Nicole Koren and Sarah Tacke.
To start the second inning Kelli Wheeler was hit by a pitch. The next batter, junior Brittany McKinney, walked. After a Haleigh Dickey out, senior Anna Roberts scored Tisha Mahon, pinch-running for Wheeler, on a single up the middle giving the Tar Heels its first run of the game. Carolina did not manage any more hits in the inning and exits the frame trailing, 2-1.
For the second straight inning the Carolina leadoff batter was hit by a pitch, this time Christine Knauer was beaned. In the next at bat Knauer stole her ACC-leading 28th time bag by taking second base. A Dani Manko sacrifice bunt moved Knauer over further into scoring position at third base. Carolina then tied the game up courtesy of an Ally Blake sacrifice fly to right field, plated Knauer, and brought the score to 2-2.
Carolina's fifth inning at the plate started with a Brittany Robinson single up the middle. With Robinson on base Head Coach Donna Papa called upon pinch hitter Stephanie Murad. The senior from Greenville, N.C., responded by pounding the ball over the left field fence for a two-run homer giving Carolina a 4-2 lead.
Virginia reclaimed the lead in the fifth inning when Koren hit her second home run of the game to left-center. The home run was the Cavaliers' third of the game and gave Virginia a 5-4 lead.
Carolina entered the top of the seventh inning with the top of the order due up. Knauer led off the inning with a single up the middle. With a 1-0 count on Murad, Knauer stole second base to give Carolina a runner in scoring position. On the next pitch, Murad hit a deep fly ball to right field. Knauer tagged up on second base and advanced to third base by beating out the throw. The next two batters failed to score Knauer and the Tar Heels drop the game, 5-4.
The loss snaps Carolina's fourteen-game winning streak against the Cavaliers.
Carolina and Virginia conclude the weekend series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. in Charlottesville, Va.
