University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Carolina Softball Eliminated From ACC Tournament
May 13, 2005 | Softball
May 13, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. --- Virginia Tech's Megan Evans hit a pair of two-run home runs to lead the Hokies past the University of North Carolina, 4-0, Friday on day two of the ACC Softball Championship at the Terrapin Softball Complex. With the loss, Carolina (36-27) is eliminated from the tournament. Virginia Tech (41-22) advances to play the winner of tonight's NC State-Maryland matchup.
The Tar Heels left four runners on base in the first two innings, as Tech starter Angela Tincher (19-7), who had pitched 19.2 innings in the tournament already, did not appear to have her best stuff. But UNC was unable to capitalize, and the Hokies answered in the third.
After two quick outs, Alisia Narodowski singled to right after fouling off a number of two-strike pitches. Evans then hit a liner to left that just barely cleared the wall to give the Hokies a 2-0 lead.
Tech threated to break the game open in the fifth after Kelly Brown led off with a double and Narodowski earned a walk and stole second. UNC then opted to intentionally walk Evans, and starter Crystal Cox (20-18) responded with a pair of strikeouts to leave the bases loaded.
Senior Jessica Young singled up the middle to open the sixth, but the momentum for Carolina was short-lived. Two batters later, designated player Erica Ennis lined to center for what looked to be a hit. But Tech's Sarah Prosise made a sliding catch and threw to first to double off pinch-runner Theresa Nicholas.
Evans made it 4-0 in the seventh with her 14th home run of the year. She became the first player in ACC Tournament history to hit two home runs in one game. That chased Cox, and Carolina brought on senior Ashley Allen, who pitched a perfect seventh to minimize the damage.
Katie Maynard came on to relieve Tincher in the seventh, and promptly walked Jennifer Jacobs. Joslin Higgins then reached on an error to put runners on first and second. Marissa May then grounded to third and Cassie Palmer popped out to put the Tar Heels down to their final out. Maynard struck out Julia Bove to end the rally, and the game.
The Tar Heels must now await word on whether or not they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The bracket will be announced between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Sunday night on ESPNews.
