University of North Carolina Athletics
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East Carolina
East Carolina Rallies To Defeat UNC 4-3
April 24, 2015 | Softball
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The University of North Carolina softball team fell victim to a seventh inning rally on the road against East Carolina on Wednesday evening, dropping the contest 4-3.
ECU pitcher Lydia Ritchie held the Tar Heels hitless for three innings before Aquilla Mateen beat out the throw from shortstop for an infield single in the top of the fourth. Using her lightning-quick speed, she advanced all the way to third base on a Kristen Brown single through the right side to put runners on the corners with one out. Brown stole second during the next at-bat, advancing to third on a poor throw by the ECU catcher as Mateen scored on the play.
The Pirates threatened in the bottom of the inning, putting runners on second and third with one out after Ali Ramirez doubled to left field. Kaylee Carlson managed to work her way out of the inning, forcing two ground balls from the next batters to get outs two and three without giving up a run.
UNC added two more runs in the sixth after Amber Parrish singled with the bases loaded, scoring Jordan Scarboro. One batter later, Jenna Kelly hit a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Mateen to reach home.
The Pirate rally began with one out and runners on the corners in the bottom of the seventh, Karlie Smith singled up the middle for the first East Carolina run of the day. Carlson forced the next batter to ground out before Casey Alcorn recorded an RBI single through the left side to make it a one-run game. North Carolina brought in Lauren Fuller to replace Carlson in the circle, and she intentionally walked Aly Ramirez to load the bases. Fuller forced a full count with pinch hitter Mary Sloan Bradford, but did not get the called strike three, walking in the tying run. Andie Johnson singled to left field the next at-bat to give the Pirates the come back win.
Carlson struck out eight batters over 6.2 innings, bringing her career total up to 100. ECU out-hit UNC 10-5.
The Tar Heels (34-12, 15-4) will be back in action this weekend as they travel to South Bend, Ind. for an ACC series with Notre Dame.
