University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Set To Host Hokies In ACC Opener
March 17, 2011 | Softball
March 17, 2011
CHAPEL HILL --- After 10 straight road games, North Carolina returns home Saturday to host Virginia Tech in the 2011 ACC opener. The Tar Heels will play a twinbill against the Hokies Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. and conclude the three-game set Sunday at 1 p.m. from Anderson Stadium.
AT A GLANCE
Records: UNC 16-10, Virginia Tech 18-6
Rankings: Neither team is ranked.
TV/Radio/Live Stats: Gametracker Links
On the web: TarHeelBlue.com (UNC), Hokiesports.com (Virginia Tech)
VIRGINIA TECH SERIES NOTES
• North Carolina is 11-8 all-time against Virginia Tech dating to the 1996 season.
• Carolina is 5-1 over the last six meetings against the Hokies.
• Virginia Tech won the last meeting 4-0 in Blacksburg, Va., April 25, 2010.
• WTVD's news anchors Sheyenne Rodriguez and Fred Shopshire will throw out the first pitches Saturday. Dr. Debbie Stroman, UNC professor, will toss the first pitch Sunday.
NOTING THE TAR HEELS
• After playing 10 road games in 10 days, UNC will return home Saturday to open ACC play against Virginia Tech. Carolina is 5-1 at home in 2011.
• The Tar Heels feature a balanced attack with a .288 team batting average, 2.96 staff ERA and a .958 fielding percentage.
• Junior Kelli Wheeler anchors the attack with a .425 batting average, five home runs, 20 RBI and eight stolen bases.
• Freshman Lori Spingola leads UNC in the circle with a 13-7 mark, 1.89 ERA and 132 strikeouts to just 23 walks.
• The winningest coach in UNC and ACC history, Donna J. Papa owns a 994-543-5 career record in her 27th year of coaching. The veteran coach is nearing 1,000 career victories, a milestone that has only been accomplished by 10 NCAA Division I coaches.
NOTING VIRGINIA TECH
• Virginia Tech sports a .296 batting average, 2.54 staff ERA and .952 fielding percentage. The Hokies are 18-6 overall and have yet to play a home game this season.
• The Hokies are led by Dani Anderson's .408 batting average and Jasmin Harrell's 2.36 ERA with 65 strikeouts.
