University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Eight-Run Inning Fuels Thrilling 12-8 Comeback Win Over VT
March 2, 2014 | Softball
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Carolina posted 10 runs in the final two innings to make a thrilling comeback and take the 12-8 victory over Virginia Tech on Sunday. The Tar Heels, now 8-8, claimed their first ACC series of the season after finishing the weekend 2-1.
Down 7-2 entering the sixth, Carolina exploded with eight runs on eight hits to take over the lead for good. The Tar Heels tallied 21 total hits, led by Kati Causey and Kendra Lynch who had four RBIs apiece while each also posted a multi-run homer.
"I'm extremely proud of this team," head coach Donna J. Papa said. "This is the break-through game that we've been waiting for. Every single person on the roster contributed to this win. Any team could've given up after going down 4-0 on a grand slam in the first inning, but we've been working all fall and spring on winning the sixth and seventh inning, and we did just that, putting up 10 runs."
"I couldn't be more proud of this team and how they battled every at-bat. This was a game that we really need to push us over the edge and move us forward. Winning this series on the road really speaks volumes of what we can do as a team this year. This was a total team win. They earned it, they deserved it and they worked for it," Papa said.
Virginia Tech took a quick lead after Amanda Ake hit a grand slam in the first to put the Hokies up 4-0.
Carolina put up a run in the second, as Erin Satterfield singled to center and then scored on a hard triple to left by Aquilla Mateen. The Tar Heels added another in the third when Kristen Brown singled to right, moved to third on a double by Jenna Kelly, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kendra Lynch.
In the fifth, Kat Banks singled then worked her way to third on a sacrifice bunt and a passed ball before scoring on a sac fly by Kylie McGoldrick. Gaskill singled and Vanessa Gonzalez drew a walk before a double by Katey Smith scored both runners to make it 7-2.
Trailing by five, the Tar Heels made their move in the sixth. Mateen and Nece hit back-to-back singles, then Mateen scored on a double by Brown. After Kelly was hit by a pitch, Kati Causey doubled to score Brown and Nece. Kendra Lynch then hit a three-run blast to put the Tar Heels on top, which Darby Rosen followed with a solo shot of her own. UNC wasn't done yet though, as Satterfield singled and scored on a Mateen triple to right, making it 10-7, Carolina.
The Tar Heels added two more in the seventh for good measure, as Causey crushed a two-run homer out center for the final 12-7 score.
Dani Anderson hit a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh as the Hokies tried to reverse the comeback, but the Tar Heels shut them down to take the 12-8 win.
Lauren Batten pitched 1.2 innings for the win, striking out three without giving up a run. Lori Spingola earned her first save of the season, pitching 4.2 innings while fanning three.
Up Next: The Tar Heels open play at Anderson Stadium this week, hosting Presbyterian at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and then USC Upstate at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Both games will be streamed live on GoHeels TV.
