University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Drop Two to South Carolina in Season Opening Doubleheader
February 8, 2004 | Softball
Feb. 8, 2004
Chapel Hill, N.C. - The University of North Carolina softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader in its season opener against South Carolina on Sunday at the UNC Softball Complex. The Tar Heels fell 3-2 in the first game and 3-1 in the second. South Carolina improved to 4-0 on the season while UNC opens up at 0-2.
In game one, North Carolina got off to a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Senior first baseman Dionne Streete singled with one out and advanced to third base after a wild pitch and a groundout by senior shortstop Emily Price. After a walk to junior outfielder Jessica Young, freshman Erin Dudley pinch ran, and stole second, which caused a throwing error allowing Streete to score.
The Gamecocks struck back in the next inning as Samantha Jennings hit a three-run home run, scoring Melissa Sandel and Amber Curtis. UNC starting pitcher, sophomore Crystal Cox had pitched a shutout up until that point.
The Tar Heels mounted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning, but fell one run short of tying the game. Price drove in freshman outfielder Anna Evans to make it 3-2, but the Tar Heels were unable to drive Price home. South Carolina's Stacey Johnson pitched a perfect seventh inning to give USC the 3-2 win.
In the second game, South Carolina opened up a 2-0 lead off starting pitcher, sophomore Alison Yin in the third inning with off singles from Aleca Johnson, Nancy Crane, Ashley Smith and Meghan Cornett. USC added a third run in the fourth inning when Jennings drove in Sandel with a two-out double.
After Cox pitched 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief, UNC got a run back in the seventh inning as Young hit a solo home run to lead the inning off. Senior infielder Jessica Graziano followed with a pinch-hit single, but the Tar Heels could manage no more hits, as USC's Aleca Johnson pitched seven innings, allowing just one run and striking out seven.
The Tar Heels will next play in the Triangle Classic Feb. 13-15. They open up the tournament by facing Elon at 1 p.m. on Friday, and then play James Madison at 3 p.m. on Friday.
