University of North Carolina Athletics
Wednesday, May 7
Brighton, Mass.
TBA
North Carolina
40-14
2
vs
0
Notre Dame (ACC Tournament First Round)
23-31-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Notre Dame
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
2
North Carolina
0
0
0
2
0
0
X
2
4
0
Photo by: ACC
Softball Flashes The Leather In 2-0 Win Over Notre Dame To Open ACC Tournament
May 7, 2025 | Softball
BRIGHTON, Mass. – Carolina softball picked up its 40th win for the first time since 2017 and its first win in the ACC Tournament since 2019 with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Notre Dame.
Â
The Tar Heels defense and Kenna Raye Dark stole the show. Dark twirled her 15 complete game and seventh complete game shutout of the season in a dominating performance. On defense Sanaa Thompson was must see TV. Making three highlight reel plays in center field to help her pitcher. But it wasn't just Thompson showing off. Alex Coleman made a stellar grab in right field and Shelby Barbee was lights out at third base.
Â
On offense, Thompson got things rolling as well. After a Kat Rodriguez walk, she blasted a double into the left center gap to give the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Rayna Blackwell found some grass with a blooper to make it 2-0.
Â
That would be all Kenna Raye Dark needed as she only would allow four hits and guide the Tar Heels to a massive win.
Â
Rodriguez now moves into a tie for the single-season program record for runs in a season with Alex Coleman currently and Kristen Brown in 2015. Thompson is now tied with Carlie Myrtle for the fifth most RBI in single season program history.
Â
Head Coach Megan Smith Lyon has now guided every school she has coached to a 40-win season.
Â
UNC now quickly shifts its focus to Virginia Tech. The game starts at 7:30 PM on the ACC Network.
Â
Â
The Tar Heels defense and Kenna Raye Dark stole the show. Dark twirled her 15 complete game and seventh complete game shutout of the season in a dominating performance. On defense Sanaa Thompson was must see TV. Making three highlight reel plays in center field to help her pitcher. But it wasn't just Thompson showing off. Alex Coleman made a stellar grab in right field and Shelby Barbee was lights out at third base.
Â
On offense, Thompson got things rolling as well. After a Kat Rodriguez walk, she blasted a double into the left center gap to give the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Rayna Blackwell found some grass with a blooper to make it 2-0.
Â
That would be all Kenna Raye Dark needed as she only would allow four hits and guide the Tar Heels to a massive win.
Â
Rodriguez now moves into a tie for the single-season program record for runs in a season with Alex Coleman currently and Kristen Brown in 2015. Thompson is now tied with Carlie Myrtle for the fifth most RBI in single season program history.
Â
Head Coach Megan Smith Lyon has now guided every school she has coached to a 40-win season.
Â
UNC now quickly shifts its focus to Virginia Tech. The game starts at 7:30 PM on the ACC Network.
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dark, Kenna Raye (18-7)
L: Micaela Kastor (10-9)
Batting:
2B: Thompson, Sanaa 1
RBI: Thompson, Sanaa 1 ; Blackwell, Rayna 1
SH: Roberts, Lexie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kat Rodriguez 1 ; Thompson, Sanaa 1
SB: Blackwell, Rayna 1
HBP: Barbee, Shelby 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
INF/UTL
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballFB: Players Post-Virginia
Saturday, October 25
FB: Belichick press conference post Virginia
Saturday, October 25
UNC Men's Basketball: Tar Heels Edged by #8 BYU in Exhibition, 78-76
Saturday, October 25
UNC Volleyball: Tar Heels Take Five-Set Thriller vs Notre Dame
Saturday, October 25