Carolina Splits Doubleheader at Duke, Wins ACC Opening Series

Saturday, March 9

Durham, N.C.

10 AM

North Carolina

11-8, 2-0

Duke

9-14, 0-2

North Carolina

Duke

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

March 9, 2019 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Despite dropping the series finale, North Carolina won the ACC series opener against Duke thanks to an 8-1 victory in game one on Saturday. The Blue Devils found their way into the win column in the second game of the twinbill with a 2-1 decision.

The Tar Heels scattered 12 hits in game one with Megan Dray, Kiani Ramsey and Kristina Burkhardt each recording multiple hits. Dray highlighted the offense with a 4-for-4 outing. Berlynne Delamora was a bright spot for UNC in the second game, hitting her first home run since 2017 in the second inning. In the circle, Brittany Pickett threw her sixth complete game. Carolina improves to 11-9 and 2-1 in ACC play while Duke sits to 10-14, 1-2 in conference.

Game One Key Moments (W, 8-1)
» In the second, Delamora drew a leadoff walk before Dray singled through the right side. Burkhardt loaded the bases with a single to left. Leah Murray lined one up the middle to score Hannah George who was able to cross the plate on catcher's interference.
» Pickett struck out two batters in the second.
» Carolina extended its lead to four runs in the fourth inning. Campbell Hutcherson drew a walk, stole second then reached home on a Duke miscue. The Blue Devils responded with a trio of hits that scored one run in the bottom of the frame.
» UNC posted four runs on six hits in the top of the seventh. Dray started things off with a single before Destiny DeBerry worked the shift and tripled to right. Burkhardt, pinch hitter Lexi Godwin, Hutcherson and Ramsey each singled in the frame.
» Winning pitcher: Brittany Pickett (5-4) // Losing pitcher: Shelby Walters (3-7)

Game Two Key Moments (L, 1-2)
» Duke took its first lead of the series with a two-run single by Kristina Foreman in the first.
» Delamora cut the deficit in half with a solo home run to center in the second.
» Starting pitcher George struck out two in four innings before Pickett closed out the final two innings.
» Winning pitcher: Brianna Butler (4-1) // Losing pitcher: Hannah George (5-2)

Noteworthy
» Brittany Pickett made her first start since Feb. 22 vs. New Mexico State.
» Megan Dray went 4-for-4 in game one which ties a single-game high at Virginia on March 31, 2018 when she went 4-for-5.
» Berlynne Delamora's home run in game two was her first home run since March 29, 2017.
» Shayla Thompson stole one base to up Carolina's total to 31 for the season.

Up Next
Carolina travels to Georgia Wednesday for a 6 p.m. contest against the Bulldogs. UNC returns home to host Boston College Friday through Sunday at Anderson Stadium.

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