University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Penn State
Softball Drops Heartbreaker to Close Out Kia
March 20, 2005 | Softball
March 20, 2005
The University of North Carolina softball team closed out the Kia Klassic in heartbreaking fashion Saturday, dropping a 2-1 decision to Penn State in nine innings at the Titan Softball Complex in Fullerton, Calif. Carolina starter Ashley Allen battled for 8.1 innings, scattering 11 hits and allowing only one earned run.
Penn State (12-9) took the early lead, stringing together three singles to load the bases with two outs. Jen Acunto then drew a walk to force home Leigh Murray to make the score 1-0.
The Tar Heels (16-14) extended their scoreless streak to 34 innings before finally breaking through in the top of the seventh to extend the game. After Marissa May drew a walk and Casey Testa reached on an error, Julia Bove came to the plate with runners on first and third. Bove laid down a successful squeeze bunt to plate May and tie the ballgame.
In both the eighth and ninth innings, Carolina was unable to advance the runner placed on second under the international tiebreaking rules with less than two outs. The Tar Heels stranded runners on first and third in both innings, failing to score the go-ahead run in each.
The Nittany Lions finally pushed across the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth. After a walk and an error loaded the bases with no one out, Allen induced a fielder's choice for the first out. Carolina's luck would run out then, however, as Allen's 0-2 pitch to Jenn Reynolds hit the PSU batter, forcing in the winning run.
Allen (3-3) went the distance for Carolina, throwing 143 pitches on the day. Missy Beseres (7-5) got then win for Penn State after throwing 4.2 innings in relief of starter Ashley Esparza. Esparza allowed no hits over 4.1 innings.
Carolina was scheduled to meet Louisiana Lafayette in the final consolation game, but rain forced the cancellation of all of Saturday night's action. The Tar Heels next face Furman in a home doubleheader Wednesday at 3 p.m.
