North Carolina
North Carolina State
Tar Heels Shutout NC State To Take Series
April 10, 2011 | Softball
April 10, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. --- Kelli Wheeler, Brittany McKinney and Ally Blake all homered to give North Carolina a series win over NC State 6-0 Sunday at Dail Stadium. Lori Spingola tossed a two-hit complete-game shutout to improve UNC to 26-15 overall and 9-3 in ACC play.
In her previous three starts, North Carolina has provided Spingola with a mere two runs of support. The Tar Heels belted three home runs manufacturing six runs on nine hits Sunday as UNC claimed their fourth straight ACC series.
Spingola (20-11) rendered just two hits over her eighth complete-game shutout this season. The Atlanta, Ga., native struck out eight and allowed just one walk en route to her 20th win of 2011.
McKinney paced the UNC offense with two hits and three RBI. Wheeler and Blake each registered home runs while Haleigh Dickey added two hits. Jordan Scarboro and Brittany Robinson each posted a hit.
Wheeler walloped a 1-2 offering from Cox well over the left field fence to supply UNC with a 1-0 lead after one. The junior uncorked her third lead off home run of the season en route to her team-leading 10 long ball of 2011.
Spingola was in complete control in the early going. The freshman fanned the side in the third en route to tossing three perfect frames. The Wolfpack broke up the no-hit bid in the fourth with a pair of singles, but managed no runs.
Carolina continued their offensive onslaught as McKinney mashed a three-run home run in the third. NC State starter Kayla Cox labored issuing a pair of walks before the senior cranked her second home run in as many days to provide a 4-0 Tar Heel lead.
In the fifth, Blake got into the act catapulting a two-run shot over the center field fence. Wheeler led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Elisha Elliot. Blake's blast extended the UNC lead to 6-0 with just one out in the fifth.
After a Dickey hit, McKinney hit by pitch and Scarboro single off the wall UNC loaded the bases with two out. Cox managed a way out of the jam, but the Tar Heels owned a commanding 6-0 lead after five.
The six runs were all Spingola needed in the circle as the freshman shutdown the Wolfpack for the final three frames. Spingola retired eight in a row down the stretch as Carolina earned the series victory.
UNC will embark on a busy week that features two midweek games before a league showdown at Georgia Tech. Carolina will travel to Radford Tuesday and host UNC Greensboro Wednesday.
