University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Long Island
Wheeler's Walk Off Sends UNC Over LIU 6-5
March 5, 2011 | Softball
March 5, 2011
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA --- Kelli Wheeler uncorked a three-run walk-off home run to lead North Carolina past Long Island 6-5 Saturday in game four of the 2011 Citrus Classic. UNC scored all six runs in the final two innings to improve to 13-7 overall.
Wheeler led UNC offensively with three hits and three RBI. Ally Blake and Brittany Robinson both added a hit and RBI as Carolina collected just six total hits in the game.
Starter Sara Buchholz (3-3) allowed five runs, three earned, over five innings of work. The freshman worked into the sixth frame, but was spelled by classmate Lori Spingola. Spingola (10-5) earned the win allowing one hit over two innings.
Long Island darted in front scoring one run on two hits and one Tar Heel error in the second. Buchholz ran into a little trouble as the Blackbirds loaded the bases with one out. Sterling Hoham scored on an errant throw from right field pushing Long Island in front 1-0 after two innings.
The Blackbirds added another run in the third inning on two hits and another UNC error. The Tar Heels got out of the inning with a huge double play from left fielder Wheeler. With the bases loaded and one out, Wheeler reeled in a fly ball to left and threw home to stop Emily Kakuska from attempting the score. The double play ended the frame with Long Island in front 2-0.
Long Island stretched their lead to 5-0 in the sixth frame. A Bianca Mejia two-out two RBI single highlighted the big inning for the Blackbirds.
Carolina finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning scoring three runs on three hits. Blake knocked in pinch-runner Amy Nece and Tisha Mahon scored on a wild pitch to account for two of the three runs. With two outs and a runner on third, Robinson drew a walk and then attempted to advance to second. Dani Manko was able to cross the plate scoring a pivotal run before Robinson was thrown out attempting to advance to second. After six innings, UNC trailed 5-3.
A wild seventh inning put Carolina in the hole with two quick outs. Brittany McKinney, who flied out to left field in what could have been the game ending out, reached on a walk due to an illegal pitch. After another two-out walk, Wheeler then hammered a 2-1 offering over the left field fence to give the Tar Heels a wild 6-5 victory.
The Tar Heels will conclude the tournament slate playing Fordham at 11:30 a.m. in their final game of the 2011 Citrus Classic later Saturday afternoon.
