University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
UNC Wilmington
Tar Heels Sweep Seahawks in Doubleheader
April 20, 2005 | Softball
April 20, 2005
CHAPEL HILL --- Crystal Cox tossed a one-hit shutout in game one and Whitney Gelin blasted two home runs, including the game-winner in game two, to lead the University of North Carolina softball team to a doubleheader sweep of UNC Wilmington Wednesday, 2-0 and 4-3. Cox matched a career-high with 14 strikeouts, and allowed only a harmless single and a walk on the way to a shutout.
Game one was a pitcher's duel from the start, as neither team could manage a hit until the fifth. It was then that the Tar Heels (32-23) would score the first run of the game. Joslin Higgins led off with a walk, and pinch-runner Ashley Oxendine took second on a Cassie Palmer sacrifice. Erica Ennis then singled to right for the game's first hit, advancing Oxendine to third, but retired between first and second. That brought Anna Evans to the plate, who sent a first-pitch single back through the box to make it 1-0.
Cox (16-14) lost her bid for a perfect game in the sixth when pinch-hitter Meghan Murray singled through the right side. But the Seahawks (20-37) would not advance a runner beyond first. Carolina added an insurance run in the bottom half, as Gelin led off with a home run to left center. UNCW starter Jess Luckett (8-14) scatterd four hits and six walks to allow just two runs in the loss.
The nightcap provided more drama for the Tar Heels, as the visitors carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Marissa May led off with a bloop double that just caught the left field line. Evans then reached on a throwing error, putting runners on the corners with no one out. Carolina then executed a perfect double steal to draw within one at 3-2. Two batters later, Gelin lifted a 3-2 pitch over the fence in right center to give UNC the lead for good.
Alison Yin relieved starter Ashley Allen (9-5) in the sixth. Yin allowed just one hit over the final two innings to pick up her third save of the season. Jennifer Bosley (7-14) allowed three earned runs and struck out six in the loss.
The Tar Heels will now hit the road for the remainder of the season. Carolina will travel to College Park, Md., for a weekend series with the Maryland Terrapins, followed by a mid-week series with NC State to close out the regular season.
