University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Iowa
Carolina Upsets No. 10 Georgia To Earn Split
February 11, 2006 | Softball
Feb. 11, 2006
MIAMI --- The University of North Carolina softball team used a six-run third to defeat No. 10 Georgia, 8-4, and earn a split on day two of the FIU Diamond Fun & Sun Classic at University Park. The Tar Heels (3-1) dropped the day's first game to No. 24 Iowa, 3-2. Freshman Lisa Norris got the win in the circle against the Bulldogs in her first career start.
After UGA (1-2) scored two runs in the top of the first, UNC took advantage of the wild pitching of Bulldog starter Jessica Doucette. After a Norris walk, junior outfielder Erin Dudley unsuccessfully attempted a sacrifice bunt. With one out, Doucette walked the next six batters, forcing in four runs. Once Doucette was finally pulled, freshman third baseman Alyssa Francona singled off reliever Katie Griffith to plate two more.
Georgia pulled within two at 6-4 in the bottom of the fifth, but Carolina responded with two insurance runs in the sixth. Sophomore second baseman Cassie Palmer led off with a single and took second when freshman center fielder Breanna Brown reached on an error while trying to sacrifice. After a groundout, senior designated player Erica Ennis then grounded up the middle to second baseman Jennifer Corbin. Corbin rushed her throw and sent it into the UNC dugout, scoring Palmer and Brown. Norris allowed only a single over the final two innings to seal the win.
Iowa (3-1) also scored early in game one, using an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Hawkeyes added a run in the bottom of the sixth and it appeared that the Tar Heels were running out of time. With one out in the seventh, Ennis walked to bring pinch hitter Casey Testa to the plate. After a misplayed foul pop extended her at-bat, the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., native drove a home run to deep left to tie the game.
After a 1-2-3 seventh, Carolina got the first chance to take the lead under the international tiebreaking rules. Junior outfielder Marissa May was placed on second to start the eighth and advanced to third on Palmer's sacrifice. But a strikeout and a flyout stranded May at third to bring Iowa to the plate. The Hawkeyes also bunted their runner to third, and with one out, junior catcher Whitney Gelin threw high on a pickoff attempt, allowing the winning run to score. Senior Crystal Cox (1-1) allowed just two earned runs in 7.1 innings in the loss.
Carolina now awaits the results of the remaining pool play games that will determine the seeding for Sunday's bracket play. The Tar Heels will likely play at either 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.
