University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Syracuse
Home Runs Roll As Tar Heels Sweep Syracuse With 13-4 Win
March 9, 2014 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina clinched the sweep of Syracuse with Sunday's 13-4 victory, improving to 11-9 and 5-1 in ACC play.
Darby Rosen and Jenna Kelly each recorded their second long balls of the weekend and Kristen Brown smashed a grand slam in Sunday's eight run-ruled win, giving the Tar Heels a grand total of eight homers for the weekend.
"I'm extremely proud of the team getting our first ACC series sweep this early in our ACC season," head coach Donna J. Papa said. "I thought we really came to play this weekend. Our hitting was awesome this weekend. We had timely hits and executed our bunts, and we really had collective focus and determination. That was our mission, and I feel like we stayed locked in and accomplished our mission."
Jenna Kelly, who belted a grand slam in game two on Saturday, kept the home runs coming with a two-run shot out left to put UNC up 2-0 in the first.
The Orange responded with a solo shot from Lundstrom, but Brown answered for the Tar Heels with a grand slam in the second, and Amber Parrish added another homer to lead off the third.
Lundstrom hit her second homer of the game, a two-run shot to right, in the fourth and Shirley Daniels hit and RBI single to add three runs for the Orange.
The Tar Heels kept the bats rolling though, adding six more runs to put the eight-run rule in effect for the second time this weekend. Mateen led off the fourth with a single to right. Brown then notched her fifth RBI of the game as she doubled to right, plating Mateen. With bases loaded after a pair of walks, Nece singled up the middle to drive home two runs before Darby Rosen went long for a three-run shot, completing the home run cycle for the Tar Heels.
Lori Spingola picked up the win, striking out four in 3.2 innings while giving up four hits and four runs. Lauren Batten pitched the final 1.1 innings and gave up just one hit.
Up Next: Carolina hosts Campbell for a make-up game on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Tar Heels will then hit the road again, playing at Coastal Carolina Wednesday at 5 p.m. before heading to Pittsburgh for an ACC series Saturday and Sunday.
