University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Oklahoma
UNC Softball Falls To Oklahoma
May 18, 2001 | Softball
May 18, 2001
NORMAN, Okla.--The North Carolina softball team finished its 2001 season Friday evening with a 13-0 loss to fifth-ranked Oklahoma, the host and top seed in NCAA Region 5. But even if the season didn't end the way the Tar Heels had hoped, at least it ended where they had hoped.
"It's a tough way to go out, but I'm proud of what we've done this season, getting into the tournament for the first time," UNC coach Donna Papa said. "We've taken some big steps for our program."
On Friday afternoon, the Tar Heels beat Lehigh 4-0 to earn the first NCAA Tournament victory in school history. On Friday night, however, the game was all Oklahoma's.
Shortstop Kelli Braitsch doubled down the right field line on the first pitch of the game (Oklahoma was designated the visiting team) and the Sooners picked up two walks to load the bases. Then catcher Ashli Barrett, the cleanup hitter, swatted a ball over the left field fence for a grand slam that put OU up 4-0 four batters into the game. "That was a curveball outside," UNC pitcher Radara McHugh said. "Nobody has been able to hit my curveball like that."
Oklahoma scored four more runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to better the eight-run margin needed to end the game after five innings. The Sooners used 12 hits and four Tar Heel errors to reach their 13-run total, a high by Carolina opponents this season. UNC lost 8-0 to Oklahoma in a tournament OU hosted, the Worth Invitational, back in March.
"Oklahoma deserves a lot of credit," Papa said. "They look to me like a World Series team. They're definitely a different team than they were in March."
The Tar Heels had two hits, a second-inning single by designated player Kelly Ramsey and a fourth-inning double by right fielder Rosie Gustavson.
McHugh, playing in her home state, took the loss. The senior right-hander finished the season 23-12 and wrapped up her UNC career at 88-41. She leaves Carolina as the owner of nearly all of Tar Heels' career pitching records.
Other seniors who played their last game for Carolina were shortstop Michelle Semmes, first baseman Beth Olen and designated player Carrie Bates. Semmes is the team's career leader in hits, total bases and assists. Olen holds the career mark for walks.
NCAA Softball Tournament
Oklahoma 13, North Carolina 0, 5 innings
OU....400 45 - 13 12 0
UNC...000 00 - 0 2 4
