University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NC Central
Kati Causey and the Tar Heels Blast NCCU 21-1
October 9, 2014 | Softball
In the final game of their fall schedule, the Tar Heels recorded an offensive explosion against NCCU, tallying 21 runs on 21 hits, including a grand slam and a solo home run from Kati Causey, to take the contest 21-1.
“I thought that our approach up at the plate was awesome” exclaimed Head Coach Donna Papa. “We had quality at bats, we squared the ball up, we were patient for good pitches, and we did our job with runners in scoring positions; I haven't seen us hit like this all fall.”
The ladies from Chapel Hill blasted six homeruns through five inning beginning in the first when Kendra Lynch sent the first pitch she saw over the centerfield wall to bring home Jenna Kelly. She was followed by a Tracy Chandless solo homerun the very next at bat. Jenna Kelly and Lauren Walker both homered as well, with Kelly knocking a two run blast in the second inning.
“I think we were really aggressive, I think we attacked first pitch strikes, and I thought we went up there with an attitude that we were getting it done no matter what” said Lynch.
Causey led the team with five RBIs. She entered the game as a pinch hitter in the third inning and with the count at 3-1 smashed a fly ball out into the trees in right field. The very next inning, she stepped up to the plate with one out and the bases loaded and once again sent the ball out of Anderson Stadium.
On the defensive side of the field, Sydney Matzko started inside the circle today, allowing only one batter to reach first base while striking out three through four scoreless innings. Lynch entered the circle in the fifth and continued the dominance over the Eagles.
The Tar Heels took to the field sporting pink socks and ribbons in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Kathleen Garcielita, mother of freshman outfielder Danielle Garcielita who overcame her own fight with breast cancer 11 years ago.
“We definitely had the will to win this game, we also did it for breast cancer and for Dani's mom” told Causey. “So we also had the why to win the game and I think that gave us energy and encouraged us to win even more.”
