University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Set To Host #9 FSU In ESPN3/ESPNU Showdown
March 28, 2014 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina is set to host No. 9/11 Florida State on Sunday and Monday for an exciting ACC series.
The two teams are both 9-2 in conference play and are tied for the top spot in ACC standings. Sunday's doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. will be live on ESPN3, and Monday's final game will be featured on ESPNU.
Follow the Games:
• Sunday at 1 p.m. - Live Stats | ESPN3
• Sunday at 3 p.m. - Live Stats | ESPN3
• Monday at 6 p.m. - Live Stats | ESPNU
Series Promotions:
Sunday is UNC softball's annual Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day. Former Tar Heel and ovarian cancer survivor Jamie Shaver Mayberry will throw out the first pitch in Sunday's 1 p.m. game, and the program will hold a silent auction throughout the day to raise money for UNC's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Monday is Rams Club Day and 80s Night featuring favorite old school tunes throughout the game. Monday will also be a “Blue Out,” and the first 200 students will receive free t-shirts and pizza. There will be a complimentary shuttle bus from the front of Carmichael Arena to Anderson Stadium 4:45- 6 p.m. with return trips back after the game.
Country singer Taryn Papa (head coach Donna J. Papa's niece) will sing the national anthem both days.
Scouting the Matchup:
The Tar Heels are 16-12 overall and 9-2 in ACC play, tied with FSU for the top spot in conference standings. UNC run-ruled Maryland last Sunday to take the series 2-1, then defeated East Carolina 6-1 behind Lori Spingola's one-hitter before taking down Elon 13-1 on the road. FSU shut out Florida A&M 8-0 on Wednesday.
North Carolina: UNC leads the ACC in home runs (42) and slugging percentage (.497) and ranks second in RBIs (170) and runs scored (184).
Carolina is led by leadoff hitter Aquilla Mateen, who is batting .411 while tallying 37 hits and 24 runs and is 12-15 on the base path this year. Kristen Brown (.354) has a team-high 34 RBIs and 29 runs with 34 hits. She ranks second in the ACC after posting her ninth homer of the year - a grand slam - at Elon on Thursday. Jenna Kelly has 25 RBIs on 31 hits with eight home runs, and Amber Parrish has posted seven round-trippers with 20 RBIs.
Lori Spingola (13-7) recently set a new UNC career record for wins, surpassing Crystal Cox's 96 victories (2003-06). Spingola has posted a 2.82 ERA in 23 appearances, tallying 108 strikeouts, while Lauren Batten is 3-2 (3.88 ERA), and Ashley Bone is 1-0 (3.00 ERA).
No. 9/11 Florida State: FSU leads the conference in runs scored (230), hits (269), RBIs (202) and team ERA (0.91).
Maddie O'Brien leads the Seminoles with 58 RBIs, 36 runs and 45 hits, including 13 homers, while posting a .446 batting average. Courtney Senas (.366) has 35 RBIs and 38 runs, and Tiffani Brown (.353) has a team-high 45 runs with 22 of 24 stolen bases. In the circle, Lacey Waldrop is 19-2 with a 0.55 ERA and 163 strikeouts. Jessica Burroughs is 12-1 (1.33 ERA) with 70 strikeouts.
