University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Penn State
Spingola's Perfect Game Fuels 3-0 Win
February 27, 2011 | Softball
Feb. 27, 2011
CHAPEL HILL --- Lori Spingola struck out six en route to her first career perfect game to lead North Carolina over Penn State 3-0 Sunday afternoon at Anderson Stadium. Brittany Robinson homered to improve UNC to 9-5 on the year.
Spingola (8-3) tossed the first UNC perfect game since Danielle Spaulding's effort in May of 2008. The Atlanta, Ga., native posted a 4-0 record this week with a 0.52 ERA and 33 strikeouts.
"I thought we excelled in a lot of areas this weekend.," exclaimed head coach Donna J. Papa. "Obviously, our defense forced a few shutouts, but I was really pleased with our base running as well. Our assistant coach, Boo Gillette, came from Purdue and they led the nation in stolen bases per game last year. So we have embraced her approach on the base paths and I think it has already paid off."
Carolina swiped 24 stolen bases this week in 27 attempts. At the plate, Robinson led the Tar Heel attack with a two hits, including a solo home run. Juniors Kelsey Green and Ally Blake added a single and RBI. Kelli Wheeler, Tisha Mahon, Logan Foulks and Cara Vitale rounded out the UNC attack that posted nine total hits.
Robinson catapulted a home run over the left field fence in the second to give UNC a 1-0 lead. The senior belted the 0-1 offering to the left of the scoreboard en route to her second home run of the season.
Spingola was dominant in the circle early, remaining perfect through the first three frames. The freshman fanned the side in the first and struck out five to hold a 1-0 lead after three frames.
The Tar Heels tacked on one more run in the fifth frame. Wheeler ripped a triple down the left field line and later scored on a RBI single off the bat of Blake. The Concord, N.C., native parachuted a single into left field to score Wheeler and give UNC a 2-0 lead after five innings of play.
Carolina scratched out another run in the bottom of the sixth. Green knocked in pinch-runner Elisha Elliott to give the Tar Heels a 3-0 advantage.
The three runs were all Spingola needed in the circle. The Atlanta, Ga., native retired all 21 batters she faced in order securing her first collegiate perfect game. Shortstop Logan Foulks made an incredible diving catch in shallow left field to end the game.
Carolina returns to action Wednesday hosting Charlotte for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. from Anderson Stadium.
