University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Saint Joseph's
Carolina Takes Second Game Of Carolina Classic, Tops St. Joseph's, 6-3
February 19, 2010 | Softball
Chapel Hill, N.C.---The No. 23/24 North Carolina Tar Heels (4-3) beat the Saint Joseph's Hawks (0-1), 6-3, in the second game for the Tar Heels in the Carolina Classic. The game featured another sterling pitching performance from a Carolina senior, Amber Johnson, who racked up 13 total strikeouts.
Along with Johnson's stellar performance, the Heels displayed timely hitting and solid base running. North Carolina got on the board early thanks to a two-out HR from first-baseman, Danielle Spaulding, in the top of the first inning. The home run is Spaulding's first of the season.
In the top of the third, Christine Knauer led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, followed by an Anna Roberts' single. Brittany Robinson then made contact with a Red Hawks' pitch from Erin Gallagher, bringing Knauer home on a fielder's choice extending the Tar Heel lead to 2-0.
North Carolina kept things rolling in the fourth, as Ally Blake led off the inning by reaching base on an error, and successfully stealing second base. Kelli Wheeler then also reached first on an error. Knauer brought both base runners in with a single to center field, giving the Heels a 4-0 lead.
St. Joseph's finally crossed home plate in the bottom of the fourth. After two strikeouts to begin the inning, third baseman, Monica Aguilar, reached first base on a single. Brooke Darreff, catcher for the Hawks, doubled to right field to bring in Aguilar, closing the gap to 4-1.
Knauer continued her offensive outburst in the top of the sixth inning. After center fielder Dani Manko singled and stole second base, Knauer drilled a line drive down the right field line, easily scoring Manko from second base. Knauer, though, hustled around the bases for an inside-the-park homerun, increasing the North Carolina lead to 6-1. The home run by the senior marked the first of her career at Carolina.
The Hawks took advantage of a couple Tar Heel pitching mistakes in the bottom of the sixth. Aguilar recorded a bases-on-balls, followed by a homerun to center field by Darreff, bringing her RBI total to three for the game.
Pitching mistakes were few and far between, though, for North Carolina. Amber Johnson pitched a gem, baffling St. Joe's hitters for all seven innings and recording 13 strikeouts.
The Tar Heels come back again tomorrow to take on the UNC Greensboro Spartans (1-4) at 4pm.
