No. 15 North Carolina Beats Virginia in Doubleheader
Story Links
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia softball team (13-30, 4-10 ACC) was beaten twice by No. 15 North Carolina (39-8-1, 12-1 ACC) in a doubleheader Saturday at The Park. The Tar Heels downed UVa 11-2 in five innings in game one and won 6-1 in game two.
Virginia seniors Kierstie Cameron, Whitney Holstun, Meghan O’Leary and Lindsey Preuss were honored prior to the start of their final home series in a Cavalier uniform.
UNC came out strong in game one, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning after batting through the order. The Tar Heels then added four in the third to take a 10-0 lead.
UVa got on the board in the bottom of the third, when third-year Sarah Tacke belted her fifth homer of the season to right field. The Cavaliers added a second run in the fourth when shortstop Carly Winger led off with a double down the left field line and was brought home on a RBI groundout by first-year Lauren McCaskey.
North Carolina added an insurance run in the top half of the fifth. Lisa Norris improved to 14-3 on the year with the complete-game win in the circle. Norris struck out five and did not allow a walk.
Holstun took the loss in game one for the Orange and Blue, tossing just 2/3 of an inning. First-year Allee Rife came on to throw the remaining 4 1/3.
The Heels outhit Virginia 12-5 in the opening contest and neither team committed an error. O’Leary went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Virginia.
In the second game, North Carolina outhit the Cavaliers 13-5 with both teams committing two errors. First-year catcher Alison Pittman was 2-for-3 in the batter’s box to pace UVa while O’Leary, Winger and Holstun also recorded hits.
UNC led 2-0 after the second inning and took a 5-0 lead after four. Virginia’s lone run came in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Pittman singled to center and stole second when Kelly Haller unfortunately struck out. With two outs and Pittman on second, Winger beat out an infield since to short to move Pittman to third. She would score when the next batter, Lindsey Preuss, reached on a fielding error by the Tar Heel third baseman.
North Carolina, who currently tops the ACC standings, added another run in the top of the seventh. Pitcher Amber Johnson improved her record to 10-1 on the year throwing a complete game and fanning six.
Fourth-year Karla Wilburn took the loss for Virginia in game two. Wilburn fanned three in four innings of work with Holstun coming on to toss the final three innings.
The Cavaliers and Tar Heels wrap up the series at 1 p.m. Sunday. The game also marks the final home contest of the season for Virginia.