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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team (24-12, 2-7 ACC) will travel to Chapel Hill for a three-game series against 14th-ranked North Carolina (35-7, 10-2 ACC). The Cavaliers and Tar Heels will compete at 6 p.m. Friday and complete the series with a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Virginia hopes to rebuild momentum after splitting a doubleheader against Longwood on Wednesday. The Cavaliers had a four-game winning streak snapped last weekend as Maryland swept the three-game series in Charlottesville.
Sarah Tacke raised her average during the week and continues to lead the team at .391. Tacke’s 38 RBI lead the Cavaliers and puts her at second among leaders in the ACC. As a team, UVa is second in the ACC in home runs with 35 and also lead the conference with 15 triples. Virginia also shown speed and lead with 70 stolen bases on 79 attempts.
Freshman Stephanie Coates has stepped up to lead the UVa pitching staff with an ERA of 2.03. She is 5-3 on the year and has notched 34 strikeouts. Senior Karla Wilburn still anchors the pitching staff and boasts a 17-6 record over 136.2 innings pitched. She has a 2.51 ERA and has held her opponents to a .247 batting average.
The Tar Heels are 35-7 overall this season and 10-2 thus far in ACC play. They currently hold a 14-game win streak with their latest win coming Wednesday against East Carolina, 2-1.
Christine Knauer leads the team with 31 runs scored, in part to her 21 stolen bases on 22 attempts. Breanna Brown leads the team with 37 RBI and and Danielle Spaulding with 29 RBI and team-high eight home runs this season.
Spaulding is even more dominant from inside the circle, as she boasts a 15-2 record and a low 0.84 ERA. She has thrown 116.2 innings and has amassed 240 strikeouts. Lisa Norris also pitches well for the Heels and is 17-4 with a 1.20 ERA. Opponents have a .164 batting average against the UNC pitching staff.
Virginia trails in the all-time series against North Carolina, 27-66-1. The Cavaliers dropped all four games played against the Tar Heels last season, including a 6-0 loss in the ACC Tournament to close the season. North Carolina has won 13 of the last 15 meetings against Virginia dating back to 2005, including the last 12 games.