Tar Heels Shutout No. 9 South Carolina, 4-0

Sunday, February 10

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

10 AM ET

North Carolina

South Carolina

February 10, 2019 | Softball

Box Score Box Score

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Behind the arm of Brittany Pickett and the bats of Kiani Ramsey and Hannah George, North Carolina topped No. 9 South Carolina, 4-0, on Sunday morning to wrap up the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

Ramsey's sac-fly in the first inning would be all that North Carolina needed to take down the ninth-ranked Gamecocks. However, George came in as a pinch hitter and launched a home run on the first pitch to extend the Tar Heels' lead to 4-0.

Pickett went the distance for her first win of the season, striking out six Gamecocks. North Carolina improves to 2-2 on the season and South Carolina slides to 3-2.

Kristina Burkhardt and Leah Murray were named to the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge All-Tournament Team.

Key Moments vs. No. 9 South Carolina
» A leadoff triple by Leah Murray set Kiani Ramsey up for a sac-fly to give the Tar Heels an early 1-0 lead.
» Kiersten Licea snagged a line drive in the fourth for a second 1-2-3 inning.
» Destiny DeBerry put down a bunt-single then reached second on a South Carolina miscue. Kiersten Licea drew a walk and Shayla Thompson came into run. Coming in as a pinch hitter, Hannah George launched a home run to right center on the first pitch she saw in a Carolina uniform. The three-run bomb gave UNC a 4-0 lead after five.
» The Gamecocks threatened in the top of the seventh after Madison Owens' single and an error toput her on second. However, a double play clinched the shutout victory. Kristina Burkhardt made a diving catch in right-center and connected with Abby Settlemyre to catch the runner tagging up at second.
» Winning pitcher: Brittany Pickett (1-0) // Losing pitcher: Cayla Drotar (1-1)

Noteworthy
» The Tar Heels scored in the first inning of every game at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
» Kiersten Licea earned her first career start at first base.
» Hannah George slugged her first home run on the first pitch she saw as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning.
» Today was Carolina's first win over a ranked team since defeating No. 22 Arizona State on May 20, 2017 at the Ole Miss Regional.

Up Next
The Tar Heels host Louisville, Michigan and Northwestern at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Feb. 15-17 at Anderson Stadium.

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