University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Florida State
No. 9 FSU Takes Doubleheader Over Carolina
March 31, 2014 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina dropped a doubleheader to No. 9/11 Florida State Sunday, losing its first ACC series of the year as the Seminoles took over the top spot in conference standings.
FSU's Lacy Waldrop helped the Seminoles (33-4, 11-2) shut out Carolina (18-14, 9-4) 6-0 in the first game. The Tar Heels put up a fight in game two, snapping the Noles' 25-straight scoreless innings, but still took a 5-3 loss.
Sunday was UNC softball's Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day, and the program held a silent auction during the two games to help raise money for UNC's Lineberger Cancer Center. Donations can still be made online by following directions listed here.
Game One
Courtney Senas put the Seminoles got on the board early with a two-run homer to center in the top of the third.
Victoria East led off the fourth with a solo shot to left, and Bailey Schinella added a two-run blast in the fifth to put the Seminoles up 5-0.
With bases loaded in the seventh, Stephanie Hartness drew a walk to force FSU's final run across the plate.
UNC had runners in scoring position in the first and the sixth, with Aquilla Mateen on third in each of those innings, but the Tar Heels could not convert a run in their fourth shut out of the year.
Lacy Waldrop, who was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player of the Week earlier this month, earned the win for FSU, recording four strikeouts while giving up only three hits to the Tar Heels.
Lori Spingola pitched five innings in the loss, surrendering eight hits and one walk. Kendra Lynch pitched the final two innings, giving up two hits and two walks.
Game Two
The Seminoles got an early lead again in game two with a three-run homer by Briana Hamilton in the second.
Stephanie Hartness added to FSU's lead as she launched the first homerun of her FSU career, a solo shot out center, to put the Noles up 4-0.
Carolina put two runs on the board in the fourth to shut down Jessica Burrough's potential shut out. Darby Rosen's double down the right field line put runners on second and third, and a walk to Jordan Scarboro loaded the bases for UNC. Stephanie Krider came home on a ground out to break FSU's streak of 25 innings without a run allowed. Aquilla Mateen then singled up the middle to knock in Rosen to make it a two-run game at 4-2.
The Seminoles answered in the fifth with an infield groundout by Victoria East to score Courtney Senas from third, making it 5-2 Seminoles.
Mateen led off Carolina's last at-bat with a single, moving to second on another single by Amy Nece through the left side. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, and Jenna Kelly drew a walk to load the bases before Amber Parrish also drew a walk to force a run across the plate. With two outs and bases still loaded, the Tar Heels appeared to have a chance to make an exciting comeback, but Parrish was tagged out as Rosen hit into a fielder's choice to end the game.
Lacy Waldrop (21-2) earned the win again for FSU. Kendra Lynch took the loss for Carolina, striking out two while giving up four hits and three walks in four innings.
Up Next: Game three is Monday at 6 p.m., and there will be quite a few promotions going on at Anderson Stadium as FSU and UNC face off on ESPNU.
Monday is Rams Club Day and 80s Night, featuring favorite old school tunes throughout the game. The game will also be a "Blue Out," and the first 200 students will receive free t-shirts and pizza. There will be a complimentary shuttle bus from the front of Carmichael Arena to Anderson Stadium from 4:45 to 6 p.m., with return trips back after the game.
Country singer Taryn Papa (head coach Donna J. Papa's niece) will sing the national anthem prior to the game.
