University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Set For ACC/SEC Challenge
March 10, 2011 | Softball
March 10, 2011
CHAPEL HILL –-- On the tail end of a 10-game road trip, North Carolina travels to Alabama for the 2011 Easton Challenge this weekend. The Tar Heels will challenge SEC foes host No. 2 Alabama and Mississippi State twice beginning Friday at 6 p.m. against the Crimson Tide.
2011 EASTON CHALLENGE FIELD AT A GLANCE
Records: UNC 14-8, Alabama 20-1, Mississippi State 10-10, Florida State 12-9
Rankings: Alabama is ranked No. 2 in the ESPN/USA Softball Poll and No. 3 in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches' Poll.
TV/Radio/Live Stats:2011 ACC/SEC Challenge Central
SEC/ACC CHALLENGE NOTES
• North Carolina has never met Mississippi State on the diamond is 0-5 all-time against Alabama.
• UNC has challenged one SEC school already this season in No. 1 Florida.
• After this weekend, Carolina will have played seven of their 26 games against SEC opponents.
NOTING THE TAR HEELS
• Carolina features a balanced attack with a .292 team batting average, 2.68 staff ERA and a .959 fielding percentage. The Tar Heels will look to build on winning a wild 7-6 decision Tuesday over UCF.
• UNC is led in the circle by freshman Lori Spingola. The Atlanta, Ga., native owns an 11-6 record in the circle with a 1.88 ERA and 107 strikeouts to just 13 walks.
• At the plate, the Tar Heels are paced by junior Kelli Wheeler, who sports a .412 batting average with a team-best five home runs.
NOTING THE 2011 ACC/SEC CHALLENGE FIELD
• Alabama is 20-1 and sports a gaudy .365 batting average, 1.20 staff ERA and .966 fielding percentage. The due of Kelsi Dunne and Jackie Traina have combined for a 16-1 record in the circle. Traina also registers 10 home runs and 32 RBI at the plate this season.
• Mississippi State is riding a four-game win streak that includes a double-header sweep of South Carolina Wednesday in their league opener. The Bulldogs are led by All Brainbridge's .367 batting average at the plate.
• Carolina will not play familiar ACC foe Florida State in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Seminoles are 12-9 and will meet the Tar Heels March 26 & 27 in Chapel Hill.
