Virginia Softball Drops ACC Opener To North Carolina
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March 17, 2007
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Virginia softball team suffered a 3-1 loss to North Carolina Saturday (March 17) at Anderson Stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams. With the loss, UVa falls to 8-17 on the season, while the Tar Heels improve to 25-8 with their 18th consecutive victory.
First-year first baseman Kelly Haller (Leesburg, Va.) gave the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when she slammed her sixth home run of the season well beyond the center field fence. North Carolina came back to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom half of the second. Anna Evans scored from second base on Joslin Higgins’ two-out single to center field.
The Tar Heels scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead. Whitney Allen and Evans hit back-to-back doubles with one out in the fourth with Evans’ double to left center bringing home Christine Knauer, who was pinch running for Allen. Evans then scored on Higgins’ second RBI single of the contest.
Second-year Karla Wilburn (Del Mar, Calif.) started in the circle for UVa and fell to 6-9 on the season. In four innings, she gave up three runs on six hits while striking out two batters. First-year Nicole Koren (Warminster, Pa.) pitched the final two innings and allowed two hits while striking out three. Lisa Norris went the distance for North Carolina to improve to 15-6 on the season. She allowed one run on two hits with eight strikeouts and a pair of walks.
In addition to her home run, Haller also drew a walk. Fourth-year Brooke Sorber (Alexandria, Va.) had UVa’s only other hit in the contest, a single to left field in the third inning.
The three-game series concludes Sunday (March 18) with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.