University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Appalachian State
Carolina's Comeback Falls Short Against Appalachian State
February 13, 2015 | Softball
Despite a valiant effort late in the game, the comeback ultimately fell short for the Tar Heels as they dropped their first game of the Gamecock Invitational to Appalachian State 4-3.
The Mountaineers got started early as Cynthia Gomez reached first base to start the game after Erin Satterfield's throw from third went over Jenna Kelly's head. After advancing to second on an illegal Gomez would be thrown out after trying to take third when Amber Parrish misplayed a pitch. Pepper Butler would then walk and next up Caroline Chambers sent a Sydney Matzko pitch over the wall in left center to put Appalachian State up 2-0.
Taylor Wike would lead off with a triple but wound up getting caught off the bag for a double play after Aquilla Mateen's line drive was snagged by the Mountaineer's second baseman.
Matzko would come out strong in the second, striking out the side. She would fall behind again though in the third, hitting a batter with the bases loaded to make it a three run Carolina deficit.
Kendra Lynch would enter the game and gave up a single to her first batter to make it a 4-0 App State lead. From there on out though the sophomore hurler would keep her opponents at bay.
The Tar Heels' bats would come alive in the fifth inning. After Wike singled through the right side she was moved over on a Mateen bunt. Amber Parrish would bring her home after she doubled to right center field. A Jenna Kelly single would bring in another run. Kristen Brown would score later on in the inning on a Lauren Walker fielder's choice. After five innings it was a 4-3 game.
UNC was unable to get the extra run they needed though to tie the contest and did not register a hit over the final two innings.
North Carolina will face the College of Charleston tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. and will conclude their stay at the Gamecock invitational against host South Carolina at 3 p.m.
