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Softball
Tar Heels Capture Game Two, Even Series
April 1, 2017
UVA Top Performer
Erika Osherow: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina (28-9, 8-3 ACC) scored eight, sixth-inning runs to force a 12-1, run-rule victory in game two of a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series against Virginia (12-23, 3-11 ACC).
The Tar Heels matched the biggest single-inning run output by a Virginia opponent this season, plating eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. North Carolina ended the game in walk-off fashion when Katie Baliff hit a grand slam, her eighth home run of 2017.
Of the 12 North Carolina runs, only six were earned as the Tar Heels capitalized on three Virginia defensive miscues, including two in the final inning.
Sophomore Erika Osherow (Darien, Conn.) supplied the offense for Virginia in addition to her duties in the circle. After coming on in relief in the first inning she helped her own cause in the top of the third with a solo home run to left center field. The long ball was the first of the season. She pitched 3.1 innings and allowed two earned runs on four North Carolina hits.
The Tar Heels scored in all but two innings and built a 4-1 lead after four. North Carolina starting pitcher Brittany Pickett countered Osherow at the plate with a solo homer of her own in the bottom of the fourth. The left-hander tossed a complete game and limited the Cavaliers to just five hits in six turns at the plate. She fanned three batters and did not issue a walk.
After a three-hit performance on Friday night (March 31), Lacy Smith (Lancaster, Pa.) collected her 13th hit of the season with a single in the top of the second. Allison Davis (Oak Hill, Va.), Olivia Gott (Weston, Fla.) and Iyana Hughes (Manteca, Calif.) were responsible for the remaining three Cavalier base knocks.
The rubber game of the three-game ACC series will take place tomorrow (April 2) at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
Additional Notes
-Virginia dropped to 5-10 when opponents score in the first inning and 5-19 when opponents score the game’s first run.
-Despite none in today’s game, UNC and Virginia lead the ACC with 58 team doubles.
-Osherow is the ninth different Cavalier to hit a home run this season.
-Saturday marks the second time a Virginia pitcher has homered this season (Allison Davis 2/17 at Charleston Southern).
-Virginia homered in back-to-back games for the first time since March 3-4 against Virginia Tech.
-Virginia Tech also scored eight runs in the sixth inning against Virginia on March 3.