University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Syracuse
Carolina Takes First Two Games of Series With SU
March 9, 2014 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina took both games of an Atlantic Coast Conference softball doubleheader with Syracuse on Saturday by tallying nine runs in each game. At Anderson Stadium, four Tar Heels hit home runs in the two games: Kati Causey and Darby Rosen in game one, and Erin Satterfield and Jenna Kelly in game two.
UNC improved to 10-9 (4-1 ACC) with the wins, while the Orange fell to 5-12 (0-2 ACC).
The Tar Heels won the first game 9-1 in five innings. Sophomore Aquilla Mateen continued her great season with two RBIs on two hits and Kristen Brown added three RBIs on two hits. In the second game, a 9-4 UNC win, Kelly hit a go-ahead grand slam to give the Tar Heels a five-run lead in the bottom of the fifth. The sophomore from Santa Clarita, Calif., finished the day 4-7 with five RBIs.
"We came out and we were on fire," head coach Donna J. Papa said. "Aquilla Mateen set the table for us. She did a great job. Kati Causey had a big hit for us and we were locked in at the plate and locked in defensively. Lori Spingola did a great job on the mound and we scored every inning (of the first game). We just stayed focus and that's what we've been asking the girls to do collectively - be focused and be determined. I felt like we achieved that today."
Game One: UNC 9, Syracuse 1, 5 innings
The Tar Heels posted nine runs on nine hits to take game one in just five innings. Mateen led off the first with a single to right center then stole second before Brown knocked her in on a hard double to left.
In the second, Kendra Lynch and Rosen each drew walks and then advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt by Satterfield before Mateen sent both home on a single to center.
Carolina tacked on another three runs in the third. Brown drew a walk and moved to third on a double by Kelly before both runners came home as Causey hit a three-run shot to left.
The Orange posted its only run in the fourth as Shirley Daniels singled and scored on a single by Riley Johnson.
Rosen hit a solo shot to right to lead off the fourth. Mateen singled and moved to second when Jordan Scarboro drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a passed ball and then scored as Brown singled to right, securing the eight-run rule victory.
Lori Spingola (5-5) earned the win, giving up just three hits while striking out six.
Game Two: UNC 9, Syracuse 4
The Orange started the game with a single by Daniels who scored on a ground out by Julie Wambold.
Carolina answered in the bottom of the first with a solo shot from Satterfield, her first home run this season.
After three scoreless innings from both sides Nicole Lundstrom of Syracuse started off the fifth inning with a home run. Danielle Chitkowski followed the home run with a double to left. Lauren Batten replaced Lynch on the mound and was able to get out of the inning without any more runs being scored.
Rosen walked and Lauren Walker was hit by a pitch to give Carolina an opportunity to score in the fifth. After a wild pitch that moved both runners, Mateen bunted between the pitcher and third baseman to score Rosen and tie the game. Satterfield and Brown both took walks that scored one run to break the tie at 3-2 and load the bases. Kelly then stepped up to the plate and belted one over left center for a grand slam that wrapped up the scoring in the fifth.
Scarboro and Mateen both singled to start the bottom of the sixth. Brown followed with a walk to load the bases. Kelly hit a ground out to first, but Scarboro scored on the play. Mateen then scored on an errant throw by the first baseman to give the Tar Heels a 9-2 lead that stood heading into the top of the seventh.
The Orange was able to put up a couple runs together in the seventh but couldn't get enough offense to cover the difference.
Batten (3-2) earned the win in relief of Lynch, giving up two late runs while striking out six.
Up Next: Carolina and Syracuse will meet for game three on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Anderson Stadium. Follow live stats and watch live on GoHeels TV.
