University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Cal State Fullerton
Tar Heels Fall to Host Titans in Kia Opener
March 17, 2005 | Softball
March 17, 2005
FULLERTON, Calif. --- The University of North Carolina softball team stranded nine runners and committed three errors in a 5-0 loss to Cal State Fullerton Wednesday in the opening game of the Kia Klassic at the Titan Softball Complex. Carolina starter Crystal Cox held the Titans to four hits, but was victimized by five walks and a hit batter.
The two teams traded zeros in the first before Fullerton (9-7) put three runs on the board in the second. The Titans loaded the bases with one out on a single and a pair of walks. Cox (7-7) then walked Ashley Weatherford to force in the first run of the game. After a strikeout provided the second out, it appeared that Carolina (16-11) would escape without further harm. But Anna Evans misplayed a foul pop off the bat of Amanda Kamekona that would have ended the inning and Kamekona lined to left to score two more runs.
Fullerton starter Candice Baker carried a no-hitter into the fourth before Whitney Gelin lined through the left side to end the no-hit bid. Baker struck out a career-high 11 batters on the evening to improve to 5-3 on the year. She helped herself in the fifth with an RBI triple to right center. Both Titans that scored on the play had reached on fielding errors, resulting in two more unearned runs.
Jaclyn Holden and Cassie Palmer reached on solid hits in the sixth and seventh, respectively, but both were stranded at second.
Carolina will continue pool play tomorrow against No. 24 Fresno State. First pitch from Fullerton is set for 4 p.m. PST.
