University of North Carolina Athletics
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UCF
UNC Rallies Past UCF 7-6
March 8, 2011 | Softball
March 8, 2011
ORLANDO, FLA. --- Kelli Wheeler registered two hits and three RBI to lead North Carolina to a come-from-behind victory over UCF 7-4 Tuesday night at UCF Softball Complex. Lori Spingola tossed a complete game to improve UNC to 14-8 in 2011.
Spingola (11-6) allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits in seven innings of work. The Atlanta, Ga., native fanned nine Knight batters.
Wheeler paced the UNC offense with three RBI and two hits. Senior Brittany McKinney added a pair of hits and a RBI in the win. Jordan Scarboro, Tisha Mahon, Brittany Robinson and Ally Blake all added hits to round out the UNC attack.
UCF led Carolina 3-1 after an eventful first frame that featured a combined four runs, five hits, two errors and one ejection. UNC registered back-to-back singles and Mahon displayed her tremendous speed scoring on a called third strike in the dirt from third.
UCF answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame on three hits and two Tar Heel errors. A Marissa Menendez two-RBI single highlighted the inning for the Knights. Spingola managed to strike out the side despite the busy inning.
The Knights tacked on another run in the bottom of the second frame to extend their lead to 4-1. A Tawny Swan infield RBI single stretched the UCF lead to three after two frames.
Carolina manufactured two runs on three hits in the fifth frame. McKinney led off the frame with a single down the left field line and Scarboro followed cranking a double off the left field wall. Wheeler then ripped a RBI single through the left side for the Tar Heels third straight hit. Scarboro then scored on a double steal attempt as the freshman collided with the catcher, crossing the plate safely due to obstruction. The Tar Heels trailed 4-3 after five frames.
The Tar Heels erupted for four runs on three hits in the top of the sixth. The Tar Heels batted around in the inning that was highlighted by a two-RBI single off the bat of Wheeler. McKinney added a RBI single and Carolina also gained the lead on a balk issued to the UCF pitcher. After another wild frame, Carolina led 7-4 for their biggest lead.
Spingola wriggled out of a no out bases loaded jam allowing just two runs in the last frame. The freshman hung tough using a big groundout to preserve the one-run lead and seal the win for UNC.
Carolina will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday for the 2011 SEC/ACC Challenge featuring host Alabama, Mississippi State, North Carolina and Florida State. UNC will play two games against No. 3 Alabama and Mississippi State beginning Friday at 6 p.m. against the Crimson Tide.
