University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Jacksonville
No. 18 Tar Heels Battle Back For 4-1 Win
February 8, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 8, 2009
MIAMI - Four six inning runs fueled No. 18 Carolina past Jacksonville, 4-1, Saturday night in the Tar Heels fourth game of the FIU Combat Classic in Miami, Fla. Lisa Norris picked up the win in the circle going the distance while striking out 13 in the win. Carolina will close out the FIU Combat Classic on Sunday when the Tar Heels take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 12 noon.
The Dolphins struck early as they were able to manufacture a run in the top of the first inning off of Norris. A single followed by a double put runners on second and third with one out before a sacrifice fly put Jacksonville ahead 1-0 after just a half an inning. The Tar Heels picked up a hit in the bottom half of the first but were held in check nearly the rest of the game until the breakout sixth inning.
Christine Knauer led off the inning with a bunt single before she swiped second base as she looked to knot things up at 1-1. Breanna Brown followed with a single to third base before the Jacksonville first baseman attempted to get Knauer at third but the Dolphin shorstop was unable to handle the throw as the ball went into left field allowing Knauer to score and tie the game.
Following a fly out to left field, Danielle Spaulding was pitched around to put a pair of runners on base before Brittany McKinney worked a walk to load the bases for Anna Roberts. The junior hit a sharp ball up the middle that the shortstop was able to grab and flip to second for the out but Roberts beat the throw giving Carolina a 2-1 advantage. Brittany Robinson was next to the plate and delivered a clutch two-out single up the middle that plated Roberts and pinch runner Kelsey Green to provide the final margin of 4-1.
Norris came out for her 11th inning of the night and proceeded to strike out three of the four batters she faced to earn her first win of the season and help improve Carolina to 2-2 on the young season. Robinson's two RBIs led the Tar Heel attack as Carolina scored all nine of its runs in just two innings Saturday night after falling to Auburn 6-5 in the opener.
Carolina will close out the FIU Combat Classic at 12 noon on Sunday when the Tar Heels take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
