
Tar Heels Come Up Short on Opening Day
February 9, 2019 | Softball
Senior Leah Murray stole three bases between the pair of games, upping her total to 81 and tying the second most stolen bases in program history. Tiffany Tolleson holds the record with
102.
In game one, UNC struck first by scoring two runs in the first inning and responding to Baylor's four runs with three more in the third. However, the Bears knotted the game in the fifth, ultimately leading to extra innings. Both teams scored one in the eighth and three in the ninth, but Carolina was unable to put a run on in the 10th. Baylor's RBI single by Nicky Dawson clinched the walk-off win nearly three and a half hour game.
The Tar Heels were back in action at 11:35 p.m. for their nightcap against No. 3 Washington. Carolina jumped on the board early on a one-run single to center by Zoë Goodman. However, the 2018 Women's College World Series Runner-Ups picked up steam, scoring eight runs in the final three innings for the 9-1 win in five frames.
How it Happened vs. No. 18 Baylor
» The Tar Heels scored early with two runs in the first inning off the bats of Kristina Burkhardt and Brittany Pickett. UNC responded to Baylor's four runs in the second with three in the third to reclaim the lead.
» Baylor claimed the lead in the second on five hits, including a pair of RBI-doubles.
» Kristina Burkhardt launched an RBI-triple for her second hit of the day. Brittany Pickett slugged her 21st career home run to give UNC a 5-4 lead in the third inning.
» In the bottom of the sixth, Hannah George struck out the batter and Hailey Jensen connected with Abby Settlemyre to catch the runner at second.
» An RBI single in the eighth by Berlynne Delamora gave UNC a one-run lead before Baylor knotted the game in the bottom of the frame.
» In the ninth, Baylor intentionally walked Leah Murray who went 3-for-4 on the day to load the bases. The Tar Heels capitalized by scoring three runs on a walk and single by Kiani Ramsey. However, Baylor responded with three in the ninth and one more in the 10th for the win.
» Winning pitcher: Sidney Holman (2-0) // Losing pitcher: Hannah George (0-1)
Key Moments vs. No. 3 Washington
» Zoë Goodman lined an RBI-single to center for a one-run lead in the first.
» Washington's Gabbie Plain worked her way out of a bases-loaded jam after a leadoff walk.
» The Tar Heels loaded the bases twice in the second inning, but the Huskies escaped unscathed thanks to pitching change to Taran Alvelo.
» Leah Murray singled and stole second in the fourth to tie the second most in program history.
» The Huskies scored three runs in the third to take the lead, four in the fourth and one in the fifth to win on an RBI-single by Sis Bates. Three huskies had multi-hit games
» Katie Grace Olinger threw two clean innings with only one hit. Hannah George and Hannah Nommensen appeared in relief to close out the game.
» Winning pitcher: Taran Alvelo (1-0) // Losing pitcher: Katie Grace Olinger (0-1)
Noteworthy
» Leah Murray stole three bases to tie the second most in career history at 81.
» Brittany Pickett, Leah Murray, Kristina Burkhardt, Berlynne Delamora and Destiny DeBerry each logged multi-hit games vs. Baylor. Burkhardt drove in three runs while Pickett plated two.
» Kiani Ramsey was the lone Tar Heel with more than one hit vs. Washington.
» Freshmen Hannah George, Lexi Godwin, Kiersten Licea and Abby Settlemyre made their collegiate debuts.
» Carolina's 15 hits vs. Baylor ties the 2018 single-game high (28, 2018 vs. Winthrop).
» The 9.1 innings in the circle was UNC's longest since throwing 10.0 innings vs. UNCG on April 4, 2018.
Up Next
The Tar Heels face BYU Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge at Nancy Almaraz Stadium.
Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Holman (2-0)
L: George, Hannah (0-1)

Batting:
2B: Goodman, Zoë 1 ; Pickett, Brittany 1
3B: Burkhardt, Kristina 1
HR: Pickett, Brittany 1
RBI: Ramsey, Kiani 1 ; Burkhardt, Kristina 3 ; Pickett, Brittany 2 ; George, Hannah 1 ; Delamora, Berlynne 1
SH: Jensen, Hailey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Murray, Leah 3 ; Burkhardt, Kristina 2 ; Pickett, Brittany 1 ; George, Hannah 1 ; Licea, Kiersten 1 ; DeBerry, Destiny 1
SB: Murray, Leah 1
CS: Murray, Leah 1

Batting:
2B: Watson 1 ; Smith, H. 1 ; Trott 1
RBI: Dawson 2 ; Gilbert 1 ; McGlaun 1 ; Thompson 1 ; Smith, H. 1 ; Trott 2
SH: Kettler, M. 1 ; Trott 1
SF: Thompson 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Dawson 1 ; Gilbert 1 ; Krupit 1 ; Avalos 1 ; Kettler, M. 3 ; Smith, H. 1 ; O'Neal 1 ; Ellis 1
CS: Ellis 1
HBP: Smith, H. 1 ; Ellis 1