University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Georgia
Tar Heels Fall To Georgia, 4-2
May 16, 2009 | Softball
May 16, 2009
CHAPEL HILL --- North Carolina saw its 2009 campaign come to an end Saturday, as sixth-seeded Georgia defeated the Tar Heels, 4-2, in the final of the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional at Anderson Stadium. Danielle Spaulding hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the fifth, but Megan Wiggins' two-run shot in the seventh sent the Bulldogs through to next weekend's super regional round. UNC finishes its season 47-13, while Georgia improved to 42-10.
The Bulldogs manufactured a run in the bottom of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. Taylor Schlopy reached on a leadoff walk and stole second before moving to third on Alisa Goler's one out single. Brianna Hesson then lifted a pop-up to short right that required an over-the-shoulder running catch by Tar Heel second baseman Brittany Robinson. Schlopy was able to take advantage of Robinson running away from home, however, and scored easily on the unconventional sacrifice fly.
Neither Spaulding (20-4) nor Georgia starter Sarah McCloud were at their best, but both pitchers kept their opponents off the scoreboard until Spaulding struck in the fifth. After a leadoff walk to Constance Orr, McCloud was lifted in favor of Christie Hamilton, the winner in Friday's meeting.
Hamilton (23-8) struck out the first two batters she faced and had two strikes on Spaulding, but was not able to escape unscathed. Spaulding lifted a Hamilton 0-2 offering just over the fence in right to put Carolina on top, 2-1.
The lead would be short-lived, however, as Georgia tied the game in the bottom half of the fifth. Lisaira Daniels led off the frame with a single and moved to third on a walk and a sacrifice bunt. With first base open, UNC opted to walk the powerful Goler and pitch to Hesson. Spaulding struck out Hesson looking, but issued a bases-loaded walk to Wiggins to tie the game at 2.
Hamilton settled down after allowing the home run to Spaulding in the fifth and retired the Tar Heels in order in both the sixth and seventh to set the stage for Wiggins' heroics. Goler led off the bottom of the seventh with a single to right before Spaulding got Hesson to fly out. Wiggins then sent a 2-1 pitch over the fence in center to move Georgia into next weekend's super regionals.
Georgia will face Ohio State, the winner of the Columbus Regional, at a site that has not yet been determined.
