University of North Carolina Athletics
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Northwestern
Tar Heels Split Opening Day In Arizona
February 7, 2015 | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. – North Carolina split its first two games of 2015 at the Kajikawa Classic Friday, falling to Northwestern 7-3 and holding on to take game two against Stanford 7-5.
Amber Parrish ended the day with two home runs, including a grand slam against Stanford, and six RBI's on two hits and Lauren Walker added two RBi's and a home run of her own on two hits.
Game One vs. Northwestern
The Tar Heels were the first to the put a run on the board, starting the process with a one out Aquilla Mateen single to left field. The speedster immediately stole second base during the next at bat. Then with two outs Amber Parrish blasted her first home run of the day to give UNC a 2-0 lead.
The lead did not last long though as Northwestern answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, as Caylor Arnold singled to right field and Julia Kuhn followed her with a two run homer of her own to tie the game. Later that inning Sabrina Rabin would walk and steal second base, advancing to third on a throwing error by Parrish. She would eventually score on a wild pitch by Carolina pitcher Kaylee Carlson.
Coach Donna Papa's team would tie the game again in the top of the fourth. Elly Wagner was brought in to pinch run after Lauren Walker was hit by a pitch. Jenna Kelly's attempt at a sacrifice bunt would see her reach second base after Northwestern pitcher Amy Letourneau's throw to first was high, allowing Wagner to reach third. She would score on the next at bat as Tracy Chandless grounded out to second base.
The Wildcats would regain the lead for good in the fifth, as Andrea DiPrima would single up the middle with runners on second and third to bring in a run. An illegal pitch by Sydney Matzko would later see Olivia Duehr score from third.
Northwestern would score two more runs in the sixth inning to make the final score 7-2.
Game Two vs. Stanford
Once again Carolina would win the race to get onto the scoreboard as Lauren Walker lofted a single into left field allowing Taylor Wike to score from second base.
The fireworks would begin in the bottom of the fifth. Dani Garcielita reached first base on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on an Mateen single to left field. Taylor Wike then walked to bring up Parrish with the bases loaded. She would send the ball over the left field fence for a grand slam and the 25th home run of her career at Carolina, moving her into to a tie in seventh place with Constance Orr and Ally Blake on the school's career leaders list.
She would be immediately followed by a Lauren Walker solo shot over the wall in center field to give the Tar Heels a 7-0 lead.
Stanford would come roaring back though in the sixth. After walking a batter with the bases loaded to allow a run, UNC Pitcher Kendra Lynch gave up a triple to Hayley Snyder through the left side, clearing the bases. Snyder would eventually score on a fielder's choice, ending the inning with Carolina clinging to a two run lead.
Lynch would hang on though and battled the Cardinal attack to hang on and get the win after a hard fought game. She would allow eight hits and strike out three, giving UNC their first win of Coach Papa's 30th season as head coach.
Up Next: Carolina is scheduled to play Nevada on Saturday at 3:45 pm and then No. 2 Oregon at 8 pm. Game times are subject to change due to the large scale nature of the Kajikawa Classic.
