University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Maryland
Tar Heels Dominate Rubber Match With Kelly's Walk-off
March 23, 2014 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Tar Heels won their rubber match with Maryland in dominant fashion Sunday, needing just five innings to wrap up a 12-3 victory.
Jenna Kelly smashed a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to put the eight-run rule in effect for Carolina, now 16-12 overall and 9-2 in conference play. Lori Spingola (11-7) pitched all five innings for the win, giving up just one earned run and four hits as the Tar Heels claimed their fourth ACC series of the season.
"I thought our girls bounced back really well today, and I'm really excited that we wound up winning the series," head coach Donna J. Papa said. "I thought Lori Spingola did another outstanding job on the mound and really controlled the meat of their lineup."
"I thought we played as a team the whole weekend. I think people are getting established in their roles, and that's helping us get a little more consistent up at the plate. We were just very focused today and prepared to beat them," Papa said.
After dropping game two on Saturday, Carolina came out with a vengeance today, posting four runs in the first inning. Aquilla Mateen reached base on an error, stole second and then moved to third as Amy Nece reached on a fielder's choice. Kristen Brown also reached on a fielder's choice, advancing Nece to third while Mateen scored on the play. Kelly then drew a walk, loading the bases for Parrish, who walked and forced Nece home. Kendra Lynch then doubled through the right side to knock in two more runs.
In the third, Maryland's Amanda McCann doubled and moved to third on a Tar Heel error before scoring on a ground out to make it 4-1.
UNC stretched its lead in the third with another four-run outing. After Kati Causey reached base and advanced to second on a Maryland error, Elena Covert came in to run and moved to third on a passed ball. Two walks later, and Carolina had bases loaded for Mateen, who hit a bunt single to knock in a run. With bases still loaded, Lauren Fuller drew a walk, which forced another run across the plate, and then Kristen Brown brought in two more runs on an infield single.
Maryland added single runs in the fourth and fifth, but a final four-run inning for the Tar Heels wrapped up the game. Erin Satterfield led off the fifth with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mateen. Nece then singled through the left side to plate Satterfield, and after Brown drew a walk, Kelly smashed her three-run homer to end the game.
Up Next: Carolina hosts ECU on Wednesday for a doubleheader at 5 and 7 p.m. and then heads to Elon on Thursday for a rescheduled game at 5:30 p.m.
