North Carolina
San Diego State
Aztecs Stifle Tar Heels at Leadoff Classic
February 25, 2005 | Softball
Feb. 25, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ga. --- Celena Velasquez struck out a career-high 15 batters and San Diego State scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning to defeat the University of North Carolina softball team, 2-0, Friday night in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Velasquez (5-0) held the Tar Heels to only one hit and ruined a solid effort by UNC starter Ashley Allen (3-1).
Allen matched Velasquez pitch for pitch in the early going, as neither team produced a hit until Anna Evans singled in the third. That safety would be the last for the Tar Heels (13-3), who struggled to put the ball in play all night.
San Diego State (11-3) would finally seize the momentum in the fourth. Megan Hartung reached on an error by Evans to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Taryin Casillas singled to move Hartung to third, and advanced to second herself on a groundout. With two outs, Kristen Carranza provided the deciding blow, doubling through the right side and plating both runners.
The Tar Heels went quietly in the final three innings, as Velasquez struck out seven of the final nine batters to close the door.
Carolina will finish up pool play tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. against No. 6 Louisiana-Lafayette. Live updates for that game, as well as subsequent games in bracket play will be available via GameTracker at TarHeelBlue.com.
