University of North Carolina Athletics
Softball Hosts Elon Wednesday In Home Opener
February 14, 2017 | Softball
| Elon (3-0, 0-0 CAA) |
| When: Feb. 15, 2017 - 4 PM |
| Where: Anderson Stadium |
| Admission: Free |
| Watch: ACC Network Extra |
| Live Stats: UNCLiveStats.com |
| Series: UNC up 31-13-1; Streak: Won 6 |
CHAPEL HILL - Carolina softball hosts Elon on Wednesday in the 2017 home opener at Anderson Stadium. The midweek matchup kicks off a 10-game homestand for the Tar Heels, which includes the second annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge and the Carolina Classic over the next two weekends.
The Phoenix opened the season over the weekend with a three-game sweep of Hampton University at home, while UNC went 2-3 at the Puerto Rico DI Tournament.
Admission and parking for all regular season home games at Anderson Stadium is free. The game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, which can be found on WatchESPN.com and in the WatchESPN app, and is available to all cable subscribers with TV packages that include ESPN. No extra ACC subscription necessary.
AGAINST ELON
The Tar Heels are 31-13-1 all time against Elon, including 27-2-1 in the fastpitch era (since 1984). Carolina brings a six-game winning streak over the Phoenix into Wednesday's midweek matchup, including a 12-6 road victory last season. Elon has defeated UNC just once since 1998, a 1-0 victory in Elon on March 17, 2010.
CAROLINA OPENS 2017 IN PUERTO RICO
After a slow start the season, the Tar Heels won their final two games at the Puerto Rico DI Tournament to finish opening weekend 2-3. Brittany Pickett earned UNC's first victory of the season, tossing a complete game against RV/24 California while going 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Heels to a defeat of the Bears, 4-1. The following morning it was Kendra Lynch who would turn heads, belting back-to-back home runs while taking a 1-hit shutout into the fifth inning to help UNC to a 7-3 win over ACC foe Georgia Tech.
Junior Taylor Wike led the Heels at the plate, batting .400 with six hits, two doubles, four RBIs and three runs. Leah Murray also collected six hits, batting .375 with her first career triple. Lynch posted the highest slugging percentage, .846, with three of her four hits going for extra bases.
GO4THEGOAL LACE UP 4 PEDIATRIC CANCER (FEB. 17-19)
For the second straight season, North Carolina will participate in the Go4theGoal Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer initiative this weekend when the Tar Heels host the second annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Seven of the eight ACC teams playing in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge this weekend will be participating, as well as all four teams at Carolina's site (UNC, Louisville, Ohio State, Purdue). Participating teams have purchased special gold shoe laces to wear during this weekend's games, wtih all proceeds and 100% of donations benefiting local children with cancer. North Carolina's contributions will be donated to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The Tar Heels will also hold a silent auction during Friday and Saturday's games, which will include sports equipment signed by notable Tar Heels and/or professional athletes. Fans who are interested in further supporting the initiative may donate directly through the UNC Lineberger website, listing UNC Softball under "I was referred by someone to give this gift."
