University of North Carolina Athletics
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Stanford
Carolina Falls To No. 12 Stanford and No. 3 Nebraska
February 22, 2003 | Softball
Feb. 22, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The University of North Carolina softball team fell to No. 12 Stanford, 6-0, and No. 3 Nebraska, 4-1, at the Leadoff Classic this afternoon. The Tar Heels fell down 3-0 to Stanford on three home runs and surrendered four runs in two innings against the Huskers to fall to 5-5 on the season. Stanford improves to 11-2 and Nebraska moves to 10-1.
In the first game, the Stanford Cardinals drew first blood with a one-out home run by Catalina Morris. Carolina threatened in the top half of the second inning putting runners at first and second with no outs, but were unable to capitalize as the Tar Heels trailed 1-0.
The home run ball struck the Tar Heels again in the bottom of the second as first baseman Maureen LeCocq hit a line drive over the left field fence as Stanford led 2-0. The Cardinals added another run with their third homer in as many innings, this time off the bat of short stop Lauren Lappin as the Tar Heels trailed 3-0.
The Cardinals added the final three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning after two straight doubles and a two-run single by Jessica Allister as the game ended 6-0.
Leading the Tar Heels offensively were senior Tiffany Tolleson (Winter Haven, Fla.) and freshman Jaclyn Holden (Santa Clarita, Calif.). Tolleson and Holden ended the game 2-for-3. Stanford's Lappin went 2-for-4 with a double and home run for the Cardinals.
Carolina scored no runs, on four hits and two errors, while Stanford scored six runs, on eight hits and no errors.
In game two against No. 3 Nebraska, the Huskers struck first in the top of the fourth inning after a single, walk, sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly by Sheena Lawrick as the Tar Heels trailed Nebraska 1-0.
The Huskers began the fifth inning with a couple of singles and a sac bunt to get the runners over to second and third. NU's Lisa Wangler delivered for the Cornhuskers with a base hit to right field as the Tar Heels fell down by three. The Huskers added one more run in the fifth inning off an UNC error as the Heels trailed 4-0 after five innings of play.
Carolina threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning as freshman Megan Welch (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) had a single to right field and senior Quinn Porter (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) hit a ball into the right center gap for a double. However, Welch was cut down at home plate on the relay as the Carolina trailed 4-0.
UNC's Jessica Young (Santa Ana, Calif.) scored the only run for the Tar Heels with a blast over the left field fence for a solo home run.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Brandi Griffin (Wilmington, N.C.) held the high powered Cornhuskers scoreless through the first three innings and only surrendered three earned runs in her complete game seven-hitter. Griffin falls to 0-1 on the season.
Carolina scored one run, on five hits and one error, while Nebraska scored four runs, on seven hits and one error.
North Carolina will face Southern Mississippi in its final game of the softball tournament. The game will start at 1 p.m.
