Softball Falls In Regional Opener, 9-6

Friday, May 16

Knoxville, Tenn.

North Carolina

#2 Ohio State

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

May 16, 2025 | Softball

Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 4 seed Carolina softball fell to No. 3 seed Ohio State on Friday afternoon in game one of the Knoxville Regional.

The Tar Heels got off to a quick start thanks to Kiannah Pierce who sent a bases clearing double over the head of the Ohio State center fielder to make it 3-0 in the first. Kenna Raye Dark was able to work a 1-2-3 first inning in response.

Over the course of the next three innings the Buckeyes would tie things up a 3-3. Sanaa Thompson belted one of the furthest home runs hit by a Tar Heel, sending it over the scoreboard in left center field to give Carolina a 4-3 lead.

Unfortunately, UNC couldn't contain Ohio State's high-powered offense as they would plate six more runs over the next two innings to take a 9-4 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Shelby Barbee clubbed a two-run homer to dead center to cut it to a 9-6 game but that was the end of the rally as UNC would fall by that score.

Tomorrow the Tar Heels will look to save their season, needing to win two games, first up will be Miami (OH) at 2:30 p.m. Should they win, they will face the loser of Tennessee/Ohio State for a birth into the regional championship game.