University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia
Tar Heels, Cavs Split ACC Twinbill
April 16, 2005 | Softball
April 16, 2005
CHAPEL HILL --- Crystal Cox struck out 18 batters over two games to lead the University of North Carolina softball team to a split of Saturday's Atlantic Coast Conference doubleheader at the UNC Softball Complex. The Tar Heels (30-22, 5-6 ACC) won game one, 4-1, then dropped game two to Virginia (19-25, 6-4 ACC) by a score of 2-0. Anna Evans had the big blow in the win, driving home two with an RBI double.
The Tar Heels missed a golden opportunity to put multiple runs on the board in the first. After loading the bases with one out, Whitney Gelin grounded to third. UVa's Sara Larquier then hit Cassie Palmer with the throw home, allowing Palmer to score and keeping the bases loaded. But a groundout and a strikeout ended the rally with the score just 1-0.
Carolina would manage a clutch hit in the second, as Evans drove a first-pitch double off the wall in right center to plate Palmer and Marissa May and push the lead to 3-0. The Tar Heels added an unearned run in the fifth when Jennifer Jacobs singled home Ashley Oxendine, who had moved into scoring position on a passed ball after pinch-running for Jessica Young.
Cox (15-14) held the Cavaliers at bay until the sixth. Catcher Jen Wynn drove a long home run to left to make it 4-1, the first run allowed by UNC in four games. UVa would threaten in the seventh, sending Larquier to the plate as the tying run with two outs. But Cox induced a harmless grounder to second to end the rally and secure the win.
After going the distance in the circle in game one, Cox went right back out to start game two. The Harrisburg, N.C., junior was again strong, but struggled with her control and often had to work with runners on base. Virginia would score what proved to be the game-winning runs in the fourth. After a walk and an error put runners on first and second, Larquier sent a hard double to right center to plate Jessica Taylor. Kierstie Cameron then followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0 with no one out. But Cox was up to the challenge. After issuing an intentional walk to Wynn, Cox struck out the side to keep the Tar Heels in the game.
Unfortunately for UNC, the hosts were unable to get to Virginia starter Erin Horn. Horn (7-7) held the Tar Heels to just five hits and struck out 12. Carolina's best chance to score came in the sixth. Two batters after Evans led off with a single, Whitney Gelin smacked a double over the left fielder. But a perfect UVa relay cut down Evans at the plate and killed the UNC momentum. Horn would retire the next four Tar Heels in order to pick up the complete-game win.
The two ACC rivals will meet again Sunday to decide the series winner, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. Carolina will hold a Senior Day ceremony for seniors Ashley Allen and Jessica Young prior to the game.
