University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Rutgers
Carolina Explodes For Sweep In Day One Of Triangle Classic
February 14, 2003 | Softball
Feb. 14, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The University of North Carolina softball team took two at Walnut Creek Park over Rutgers, 10-2 (5) and 4-2 over Dayton. The Tar Heels exploded for 13 hits in the opener and followed that up with a comeback win over Dayton scoring three runs in the sixth inning. UNC improves to 3-3, while Rutgers and Dayton fall to 1-1.
In the first game for the Tar Heels, UNC answered Rutgers run in the first inning with a two-run home run by freshman Jaclyn Holden (Santa Clarita, Calif.) to give Carolina a 2-1 lead. The Tar Heels added two more runs in the second inning as senior Tiffany Tolleson (Winter Haven, Fla) singled in a run and freshman Megan Welch (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) sacrificed in a run. UNC scored a run in the third inning as Holden led off with a double and eventually scored on a double steal.
The Tar Heels were not done as Tolleson and Welch began the fourth inning with a couple of singles. Junior Natashalyn Snipes (Durham, N.C.) slapped a double into right field and scored two more Heels as the score went to 7-1. After a Rutgers run in the fifth inning, Carolina responded as freshman Tiffany Stewart (Odessa, Fla.) had a pinch-hit single to score Tolleson and senior Quinn Porter (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) singled down the right field line to end the game 10-2 in five innings.
Carolina scored 10 runs, on 13 hits and two errors, while Rutgers scored two runs, on three hits and two errors.
Pacing the Tar Heel bats was Holden, Tolleson and Welch. Holden ended the game a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Tolleson went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two stolen bases. Welch had a 2-for-3 performance with three RBI.
The second game of the night pitted UNC against Dayton. Dayton struck first in the bottom of the first inning as Shannon St. Clair hit a double in right center and scored on an UNC error. Holden answered for the Tar Heels in the second inning with a towering blast over the right field fence to tie the score at 1-1.
The flyers regained the lead in the bottom half of the third after three walks and a single to center field with two outs off the bat of Spencer Izor as UD led 2-1. After two scoreless innings, Carolina began the comeback as Tolleson singled to center and Welch was safe at first on a sac bunt. After a fly out, Holden answered the call again with a two run double to the left field fence as the Tar Heels took their first lead of the game 4-2.
Freshman pitcher Alison Yin (Glendale, Calif.) came into the game in the bottom of the third inning with two outs and the bases loaded with the score 2-1 in favor of Dayton. Yin (1-0) got the third and final out of the inning and held Dayton scoreless to pick up her first win of the season. She allowed four hits while striking out four.
Carolina scored four runs, on seven hits and two errors, while Dayton scored two runs, on seven hits and one error.
Holden led the Tar Heels in game two with the game winning RBIs in the bottom of the sixth inning, ending the game 2-for-3 with three RBI. Tolleson went 3-for-4 with a stolen base.
North Carolina will face Charleston Southern at 9 a.m. to finish pool play. Bracket play will begin at 1:30 p.m.
