Carolina Shuts Out Hampton, 5-0

Wednesday, February 28

Chapel Hill, N.C.

4 PM

North Carolina

6-10

Hampton

3-6

Hampton

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

February 28, 2018 | Softball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL – Led by Brittany Pickett in the circle and Katelyn Shifflett at the plate, North Carolina topped Hampton, 5-0 for the Tar Heels third shutout of the season. With Wednesday afternoon's victory, UNC improves to 6-10 while the Lady Pirates fall to 3-6.

Resetting her single-game high to 10 strikeouts, Pickett threw third complete-game shutout of the season, improving to 6-3 on the year. Shifflett drove in two runners on one hit to lead Carolina's offense with Pickett also logging a pair of hits at the plate. Hampton's Ashley Grassini recorded the lone multi-hit game for the visitors, going 2-for-3 in the game.

After three scoreless innings, the Tar Heels ended the drought, putting three runs on the board. With one out on the board, Pickett singled to left, bringing pinch runner Micaela Abbatine in the game. Brittany West, running for Katie Bailiff, and Abbatine stole second and third, respectively. However, a Hampton miscue allowed West to come home and give Carolina the only run it would need.

The Tar Heels continued to attack in the third on a single by Kristina Burkhardt and a two-run single through the left side that allowed Sierra Parkinson and Burkhardt to score for a 3-0 edge after four innings.

In the sixth, Carolina plated two more runs as both Berlynne Delamora and Hailey Jensen put the ball in play each for an RBI and a five-run lead.

UNC's infield turned two double plays in the fifth and sixth innings thanks to line-outs by Shifflett and Pickett, holding off the Lady Pirates. Hampton threatened with two runners in scoring position in the seventh inning, after a leadoff walk and a double to left-center. However, two more strikeouts by Pickett ended the game and earned Pickett a new single-game high of 10.

Pickett threw her seventh complete game and third shutout in the win, while Hampton's Allyson Babinsack took the loss.

Carolina returns to action Friday at 5 p.m. to take on Harvard in the Carolina Classic.

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