University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Alabama
No. 2 Alabama Tops UNC, 10-1
March 12, 2011 | Softball
March 12, 2011
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Jackie Traina hurled a one-hitter to lead No. 2 Alabama over North Carolina 10-1 Saturday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium. Kelli Wheeler, Kelsey Green and Dani Manko each connected for a hit against the Crimson Tide, as the Tar Heels fall to 15-10 on the season.
Sara Buchholz (3-3) sustained the loss, yielding ten runs on seven hits in four innings of work.
Alabama's Traina gained the win, improving her overall record to 9-0 in 2011. The outstanding freshman for the Tide has allowed only seven earned runs in 57.0 innings of work on the season.
The Crimson Tide (23-1) jumped to an early lead off the bats of Whitney Larsen and Cassie Reilly-Boccia. Larsen blasted a two RBI home run to deep center field and Reilly-Boccia later followed up with a three RBI shot over the right field wall, powering Alabama to a 5-0 lead after the first.
uchholz' ninth start of the year was highlighted by a scoreless second as she held the Tide's potent offense hitless.
occia belted another two RBI home run in the third, this one down the right field line, increasing the Tar Heel deficit to seven runs. Kayla Braud and Jackey Branham both doubled in the top of the fifth to combine for three RBIs, increasing the Alabama lead to 10-0.
North Carolina battled until the final out, scoring one run on two hits in the final frame. Kelsey Green singled to left field and crossed home plate on senior Dani Manko's RBI double to left field.
The Tar Heels clash with Mississippi State Sunday at 11 a.m. CDT at Rhoads Stadium in their final game of the 2011 ACC/SEC Easton Challenge.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
