Tar Heels Come Up Short at Elon

Wednesday, February 14

Elon, NC

4:30 PM

North Carolina

3-2

Elon University

3-2

North Carolina

Elon

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

February 14, 2018 | Softball

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Despite reaching base in all but one inning, North Carolina could not complete the come back at Elon, falling 2-1 to the Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon. The Tar Heels slide to 3-2 while the Phoenix improve to the same mark.

Elon put up two runs in the second that Carolina could not overcome despite four Phoenix errors and the Tar Heels' lone run in the fourth inning.

The Phoenix threatened from the start with a trio of singles to load the bases in the bottom of the first, but Carolina's clean defense held them off in the first. However, the Phoenix prevailed in the second putting up two runs. Elon's Kara Shutt sent an RBI-double to left before Hannah Olson logged a single to up the score to two.

The Tar Heels cut the score in half in the top of the fourth inning. Micaela Abbatine, running for Berlynne Delamora who drew a walk, rounded the bases and reached home on an Elon error. Carolina nearly scored another with Kiani Ramsey on third, however a dropped-third strike out ended the inning with two Tar Heels left on base.

The Phoenix responded with a pair of hits in the fourth, but Brittany Pickett caught the final batter looking to end the frame. She struck out five total to hold off the Phoenix, but the Tar Heels could not come around to take the lead.

Ramsey led the Tar Heels at the plate with two hits while Leah Murray and Sierra Parkinson had one each. Delamora connected with Katelyn Shifflett at first for Carolina's first double play of the season in the third inning.

Pickett, maintaining her 0.00 ERA, tossed five scoreless innings while Katie Grace Olinger took the loss. Elon's Kiandra Mitchum earned the win.

Up next, the ACC/Big Ten Challenge comes to Anderson Stadium Friday through Sunday, featuring Illinois, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and host North Carolina. The Tar Heels' first matchup is Friday at 4 p.m. vs. Illinois.

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