University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
George Washington
No. 23 Carolina Claims 8-0 Win
February 13, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 13, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The No. 23 North Carolina softball team improved to 6-2 on the young season Friday afternoon as a pair of three-run home runs fueled the Tar Heels past George Washington by an 8-0 margin. Breanna Brown and Kelli Wheeler each hit three-run opposite field blasts for the Tar Heels as Carolina outscored its opponents 15-0 on the opening day of the Carolina Classic. Constance Orr picked up the win in the circle as she tossed a no hitter in the five inning win. The Tar Heels will face off against No. 9 California at 3 p.m. in Carolina's only action on Saturday.
Carolina scored a pair of runs in the first with back-to-back triples by Christine Knauer and Breanna Brown before Emily Troup drove in Brown with her second RBI single of the day. Brown put the Tar Heels ahead 5-0 in the top of the second inning when she connected on her first home run of the year, a three-run shot to left field. Kelli Wheeler got things started with a lead off walk before Alyssa Francona dropped down a picture perfect sacrifice bunt to move Wheeler to second. Following a strikeout Christine Knauer reached an on error by the pitcher putting runners on the corners for Brown who crushed a pitch over the left field fence for her fifth career home run.
Constance Orr got the start in the circle for the Tar Heels and twirled a gem as she retired 12 of the 14 batters she would face without allowing a hit during the five inning shutout. Orr allowed just two base runners in the game as the pair reached on walks but were no threat to the freshman who improved to 2-0 on the year with the win.
Fellow freshman Kelli Wheeler provided the Tar Heels final three runs for the 8-0 run-rule win when she connected on a pitch in the top of the fifth inning and sent it over the right field fence for a three run home run. A lead off walk by Troup got things going before freshman Kelsey Green lined a single to left setting the stage for Wheeler's heroics.
rown and Wheeler combined to drive in seven of Carolina's eight runs as the duo helped the Tar Heels improve to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the Carolina Classic. The Tar Heels will look to improve to 3-0 on Saturday when they take on the No. 9 California Golden Bears in a top 25 showdown set for 3 p.m.
