Carolina Tops BYU in 5-4 Comeback Victory

Saturday, February 9

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

1:30 PM ET

North Carolina

1-2

BYU

1-3

BYU

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

February 9, 2019 | Softball

Box Score Box Score

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Down 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, North Carolina scored four runs, including a Kristina Burkhardt three-run homer, to overcome the Cougars, 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

A solid pitching staff of Hannah George, Katie Grace Olinger and Brittany Pickett kept BYU at bay for the Tar Heels' first win of the season. As a committee, UNC struck out seven compared to BYU's three.

In addition to Burkhardt, Kiani Ramsey went 2-for-3 with two RBI, including a triple to give the Tar Heels the edge on Saturday afternoon.

Key Moments vs. BYU
» BYU scored in each of the first three innings and the fifth off the bats of Rylee Jensen, Lexi Tarrow, Libby Sugg and Emilee Erickson.
» Leah Murray made it to third on a BYU miscue before Kiani Ramsey sent the ball to the warning track for an RBI-triple to tie the game.
» Hannah George worked out of a bases-loaded jam to end the second inning.
» Campbell Hutcherson made a diving catch and Megan Dray threw down to Abby Settlemyre for a pair of outs in the fourth.
» Katie Grace Olinger caught the batter swinging for the final out of the fifth.
» A walk and a pair of hits by Abby Settlemyre and Leah Murray loaded the bases. A ground-out by Kiani Ramsey plated a run before Kristina Burkhardt cleared the bases on a three-run home run to right for the 5-4 lead in the fifth.
» Brittany Pickett entered the game in relief in the sixth and tossed back-to-back-strikeouts to end the inning. Pickett struck out four of the seven batters she faced.
» Winning pitcher: Katie Grace Olinger (1-1) // Losing pitcher: Kerisa Viramontes (0-1) // Save: Brittany Pickett (1)
» Records: UNC (1-2) // BYU (1-3)

Noteworthy
» Shayla Thompson made her career debut as a pinch runner in the fifth.
» Brittany Pickett's ninth career save puts her two away from tying the UNC record (11 by Lisa Norris).

Up Next
The Tar Heels wrap up the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge Sunday at 10 a.m. vs South Carolina.

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