University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Tar Heels Split With Hokies In ACC Opener
March 2, 2014 | Softball
BLACKSBURG, Va. - North Carolina split a doubleheader to open ACC play at Virginia Tech on Saturday, posting a comeback 8-4 win in game one before the Hokies claimed the second game 4-3 behind a walk-off homer.
Aquilla Mateen continued her hot streak at the plate, tallying three RBIs on two hits, while Kristen Brown added a two-run homer to help seal the win in game one. The Tar Heels are now 7-8 (1-1) for the year.
"I thought we had a great comeback in game one. We fought until the end of that game and put some really good things together," head coach Donna J. Papa. "I was proud of us getting some big hits in the seventh to tie it up, and I felt like we battled all day, but unfortunately they won it on the walk-off home run. We have to find ways not to beat ourselves. Hopefully we can come out tomorrow for the rubber match and fight a little harder for that game."
Game One
Virginia Tech took an early lead in game one, but a five-run seventh inning gave the Tar Heels a comeback victory for their first ACC win of the season.
Kylie McGoldrick homered to lead off for the Hokies, and then Lauren Gaskill tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Amanda Ake.
The Tar Heels took a brief lead in the next frame, beginning with Kendra Lynch's second career homer. Kati Causey was then hit by a pitch, and after Stephanie Krider came in to run, she moved to second when Darby Rosen was also hit. The Carolina runners each advanced on a ground out and then scored on a two-run single by Aquilla Mateen, which made it 3-2 in favor of the Tar Heels.
VT answered with two more in the bottom of the second behind a two-run shot by McGoldrick, giving the Hokies a 4-3 lead they would hold until the top of the seventh.
After four quiet innings from both sides, Carolina's bats came alive in the seventh. Causey reached second on a dropped fly, and Elena Covert came in to run. Rosen drew a walk, and then both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Satterfield. Mateen then singled, scoring Covert before Rosen and Mateen each scored on a hard-hit triple down the right field line by Tracy Chandless. Kristen Brown then hit a two-run blast to left for the final runs of the game.
Lori Spingola (4-4) earned the win, striking out two and giving up six hits in seven innings.
Game Two
Gaskill singled and then scored on a double by Gonzalez to get Virginia Tech on the board early again in game two.
Jenna Kelly doubled to left and then moved to third on a single by Kendra Lynch before Causey drew a walk to load the bases. The runners advanced and Kelly came home on a wild pitch to even the game, and a single to right by Satterfield sent Jordan Scarboro, who was running for Lynch, home to put UNC up 2-1.
The Hokies answred in the next frame as Gonzalez singled the advanced to second on a single by Katey Smith. Gonzalez moved to third on a ground out and then scored as Dani Anderson singled to center.
In the fifth, Gaskill reached base on a fielder's choice, advancing to third on a single by Gonzalez before scoring on a Tar Heel error.
With two outs in the seventh, Brown doubled to right and then scored on a double by Kelly to tie the game at 3-3, but VT answered with a walk-off homer from Elizabeth Berle to give the Hokies the 4-3 win.
Lauren Batten (1-2) took the loss, giving up one run and one hit in one inning in the circle. Ashley Bone pitched the first five innings, surrendering three runs and eight hits while fanning four.
Up Next: Game three will be played on Sunday at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available.
