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Oregon
No. 17 Oregon Tops UNC, 5-4
March 4, 2012 | Softball
March 4, 2012
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KISSIMEE, Fla.-- Kaylan Howard hit a walk-off two-run home run to propel No. 18 Oregon to a 5-4 victory over No. 24 North Carolina in the Citrus Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Kelli Wheeler tallied a home run and three RBI in the loss to the Ducks. UNC falls to 14-5 on the season.
Lori Spingola ran into trouble early as the Ducks loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on two hits and walk, with only one out. But the sophomore escaped the jam, inducing two fly balls and striking out Kaylan Howard to keep the contest scoreless.
The Ducks threatened again in the third with a lead-off single by Janie Takeda and Kaylie Cuico drew a walk to put runner at first and second with one out. Spingola caused the next two batters to fly out and strike out swinging to get out of the frame.
Oregon finally broke through in the bottom half of the fourth on an RBI-double to left center field by Courtney Ceo. Kelsey Chambers later ripped a two-run double down the right-field line, giving the Ducks a 3-0 lead.
Kelli Wheeler answered for Carolina in the top of the sixth with a three-run home run over the left field fence to tie the score at 3-3. Amy Nece then reached first on a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but the Tar Heels couldn't bring her home, keeping the score knotted.
The Tar Heels went ahead in the top of the seventh. Jenna Kelly drew a leadoff walk and Chelsey Butler came into pinch run. Paige Williams moved Butler to second with a sacrifice bunt. Elisha Elliott then came up to bat and lined a chopper to the Ducks' shortstop, whose throw to first base went into the visiting dugout, allowing Butler to score and put UNC up, 4-3.
The Ducks countered with a leadoff single in the bottom half of the frame, before Howard unleashed a home run just over the glove of Wheeler and the fence in left field, giving Oregon a 5-4 win.
Spingola (10-4) was credited with the loss, surrendering 10 hits, five runs and two walks over six innings of work. The sophomore also fanned eight Duck batters.
Carolina next travels to Long Beach, Calif., to participate in the Long Beach State Invitational March. 8-11 against the likes of Eastern Kentucky, Oregon State, UNLV, Utah State and Long Beach State. The Tar Heels open play vs. Eastern Kentucky Thursday, March 8, at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT), followed by a clash with Oregon State at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 PT).
