University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Florida State
No. 22 FSU Edges Tar Heels, 3-1
April 2, 2012 | Softball
April 2, 2012
Follow UNC Softball Via Twitter | 2012 Softball Yearbook
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-- Monica Perry scattered six hits and surrendered only one run to lead No. 22 Florida State to a 3-2 win over No. 23 North Carolina at JoAnne Graf Field. Kelli Wheeler tallied two hits and a RBI in the loss to the Seminoles as the Tar Heels fall to 24-10, 3-3 in the ACC. FSU improves to 33-6, 8-1.
Wheeler turned on the first pitch of the game and drove it to left center field for a lead-off double. Amy Nece moved Wheeler to third on a groundout, but Logan Foulks and Ally Blake both struck out swinging and were unable to plate a run.
FSU followed suit as Tiffani Brown took Lori Spingola's first offering to left center for a lead-off triple. Shayla Jackson then flew out to left center, but it wasn't deep enough to bring the runner home. Maddi O'Brien then flew out to deep left field, bringing Brown home. The Carolina dugout appealed to the umpire, and Brown was called out for leaving third base early, keeping the game scoreless.
The Seminoles broke through in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI-double to left center field by Kirstin Austin and an RBI-single down the right field line by Jackson to take a 2-0 lead.
Carolina challenged again in the top of the fourth as Nece singled down the right field line and Foulks moved her to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Blake flew out to right field and Dickey struck out swinging to end the threat.
Florida State added a run in the bottom of the fourth. With runners on first and second, Kelly Hensley struck out swinging and Foulks tried to throw out the runner at first. The runner at second tried to advance on the throw and Orr attempted to throw her out at third. The throw got past Dickey and pinch-runner, Erika Hoffner scored on the error by Orr, stretching the Seminole lead to 3-0.
The Tar Heels finally got on the board in the top of the fifth with a RBI-double down the left field line by Wheeler, paring the FSU advantage to two, 3-1.
lake lined a one-out double to left field to give UNC another scoring chance in the top of the sixth frame. But Dickey and Orr both struck out swinging, stranding Blake at second.
Spingola was credited with the loss, falling to 18-8 on the year. The sophomore pitcher scattered seven hits, one walk over six innings and gave up three runs, one earned. She also registered five strikeouts.
The series' finale between the Tar Heels and Seminoles was broadcast live on ESPNU, the first ACC Monday game of the season.
Carolina returns to action next weekend with a three-game set against the Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville, Va., April 6-7.
