University of North Carolina Athletics
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East Carolina
Young Homer Powers Carolina Past ECU
April 7, 2005 | Softball
April 7, 2005
Jessica Young belted a two-out, three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to lead the University of North Carolina softball team to a 3-0 win over East Carolina Thursday afternoon in Greenville, N.C. Tar Heel starter Crystal Cox scattered two hits and eight walks on her way to a complete-game shutout.
Neither squad could bring home a run in the early going, as East Carolina (43-12) repeatedly left runners on base, while UNC (25-20) struggled to reach base at all. The Pirates left the bags full twice in the first five innings, but each time Cox was able to escape the jam.
It was the Tar Heels who finally broke through in the sixth. After Erin Dudley singled with one out and advanced to second on a sacrifice, ECU intentionally walked Casey Testa to set up a force out. But the move backfired, as Young's blast scored Dudley and Testa and provided the only runs of the game for either team.
East Carolina threatened one last time in the seventh, as Cox (12-12) walked the bases loaded with two outs. But the junior got Beth Nolan to groundout to third to end the game and send the Tar Heels home winners. ECU starter Keli Harrell went the distance for the Pirates and dropped to 20-10 on the season.
The Tar Heels now return home for a pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference series with league newcomer Virginia Tech. Saturday will feature a doubleheader that begins at 2 p.m., with a single game Sunday that will also start at 2.
