University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
USC Upstate
Solid Defense, Clutch Hitting Lead Heels Past USC Upstate
March 29, 2016 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – Carolina softball took care of business on Tuesday evening, rolling past USC Upstate, 4-2. The win lifts UNC to 16-17 on the year, while the two-time defending Atlantic Sun champions fall to 28-7.
“I thought overall we played one of the cleanest games we've played in a while,” said head coach Donna J. Papa. “It was just good softball. It was solid defense, really good pitching, and good hits when we needed them. I felt that this was one the best games we played in a while.”
Leah Murray propelled the Tar Heels to victory, going 2-for-3 with a game-winning, bases-clearing double with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Berlynnne Delamora drove in the first run of the game with an RBI double, while Kristen Brown walked, singled and scored. Elena Covert walked twice and scored, and Kendra Lynch had a single and a sacrifice bunt. Taylor Wike doubled for the first hit of the game, her team-leading seventh of the season.
“We played as a team,” said Papa. “A lot of people contributed in their at-bats, and I'm just really pleased that it was a quick game and that we were efficient with what we did on the mound and up at the plate. We made the plays we needed to make.”
Kendra Lynch (14-13) went the distance in the circle, allowing two runs on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Holly McKinnon (17-3) took just her third loss in 20 decisions, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts.
“It was a really good game,” said Papa. “I thought it was well-played by both teams. Both pitchers did a great job, and I thought Kendra was on today. They have a very good hitting team. They're in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and they're usually in the top two of that every year. They have some big hitters, and their pitchers are very good.”
Upstate was the first to send a runner across the plate, as Karla Beasley led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field.
The Tar Heels tied the score in the bottom half of the inning, as Brown led off with a single, and Lynch bunted her over to second. Delamora then ripped an RBI double to the corner in right to knot the score at one.
Murray broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth, looping a bases-clearing double to right center to make it 4-1 Carolina. Lynch got the inning started for the Tar Heels with a one-out single, then Delamora moved her to second with a sac bunt. Covert drew a walk and Tracy Chandless was hit by a pitch to load the bases and set Murray up with the RBI opportunity.
Amy Szymanowski was hit by the first pitch of the top of the seventh then took second on a foul pop up that took first baseman Darby Rosen into the Tar Heels' dugout. Megan Obier kept the Spartans' hopes alive with a two-out RBI double down the left-field line, but Lynch got Kendsey Chappelear to line out softly to third to end the game and seal up her 14th victory of the season.
“We answered back in the fourth inning with a run, we didn't make any errors—which we were really excited about—and I thought our infield played outstanding. Darby going into the dugout to make that catch, Kristen Brown was Kristen Brown, and Taylor and Berlynne—everyone did a good job.
“Leah Murray came up with that clutch hit and when you score late like that, it's the best. When we score in the sixth inning, then all we have to do is shut them down.
“Our big word today was confidence, and I think we played with it. The girls came out with fight and they believed.”
Carolina's eight-game homestand continues Wednesday with a visit from nearby UNCG. The Tar Heels will square off with the Spartans at 6 p.m.
