University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Georgia
UGA Edges Carolina, 3-2
May 19, 2012 | Softball
May 19, 2012
2012 NCAA Tourney Central
ATHENS, Ga.-- 10th-seeded Georgia ran out to an early 3-0 lead and Erin Arevalo pitched seven innings of two-hit ball to edge North Carolina, 3-2. Senior Kelli Wheeler tallied a RBI in the loss to the Bulldogs, as the Tar Heels falls to 42-13 and will now face the winner of Georgia Southern vs. Coastal Carolina in an elimination game at 5 p.m.
Paige Wilson lined a RBI-double off the wall in center field in the top of the first inning and the Bulldogs tacked on another run on an error by UNC shortstop Ally Blake, to go ahead early, 2-0.
Kristyn Sandberg belted a solo home run to left center field in the top of the third, stretching the Georgia lead to three, 3-0.
Amy Nece was the first Tar Heel to reach base, doing so with a one-out single up the middle in the bottom of the fourth frame. But Blake flew out and Haleigh Dickey struck out swinging, stranding Nece at first.
UNC rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Constance Orr hit lined a grounder to third base, which Gracie Goulder misfielded, allowing Tisha Mahon to score from third base. Kelli Wheeler later drove a RBI-single to right field to add another run for the Tar Heels, paring the Georgia advantage to one, 3-2.
Spingola (32-11) absorbed the loss, letting up eight hits, three runs and two walks in the complete-game effort. The sophomore pitcher from Atlanta, Ga., also tallied eight strikeouts in the loss.
The Tar Heels will now face winner of Ga. Southern vs. Coastal Carolina in an elimination game later today at 5 p.m. Stay tuned to TarHeelBlue.com for more updates.
