University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday, February 15
Chapel Hill, N.C.
4 PM
North Carolina
8
vs
3
Michigan
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Tar Heels Down No. 17 Michigan, Fall to Northwestern
February 15, 2019 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – Led by the bats of freshmen Kiersten Licea and Abby Settlemyre, North Carolina topped No. 17 Michigan in the 2019 home opener on Friday afternoon. However, the Tar Heels struggled to keep their momentum going into the second game and despite scoring late, dropped a 9-3 decision to Northwestern on day one of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The 17th-ranked Wolverines scored first on a passed ball, but Carolina quickly evened up the score on a Destiny DeBerry RBI-single. With one runner on, Settlemyre slugged her first home run for a 3-1 lead in the fourth. Michigan answered back with a two-run shot by Lexie Blair. However, Licea slugged a home run of her own for Carolina's first grand slam of the season and the 8-3 win. Brittany Pickett struck out three in her second complete game victory.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Carolina returned to action to take on Northwestern. The Wildcats jumped to an early lead on a Morgan Nelson solo-shot in the first inning. NU took a 5-0 lead before Leah Murray's two-run single sparked Carolina's offense. However, Northwestern responded with four runs in the seventh. Murray drove in one more run in the bottom of the frame, but it was not enough for the win.
With the split decision today, North Carolina sits at 3-3 while No. 17 Michigan slides to 4-3 and Northwestern improves to 3-1.
Key Moments vs. No. 17 Michigan
» Michigan scored first on a passed ball in the second. However, Carolina quickly evened up the score. Berlynne Delamora send a deep base-hit to right after being down 0-2 in the count. With the bases loaded, Destiny DeBerry singled to left to score on runner and knot the game at 1-1.
» After a Delamora walk, freshman Abby Settlemyre launched a home run over the right field fence, scoring Delamora and giving UNC the 3-1 lead.
» The Wolverines responded with a two-run shot of their own by Lexie Blair
» With two runners on, Kristina Burkhardt grounded out but allowed a runner to score after both Leah Murray and Kiani Ramsey singled. A single and pair of hit-by-pitches loaded the bases before Kiersten Licea rocketed Carolina's second home run of the game and first grand slam this season.
» Center fielder Kiani Ramsey ran to her right and made a diving catch for the final out to close out the win for the Tar Heels for their second top-25 win of the season.
» Winning pitcher: Brittany Pickett (2-0) // Losing pitcher: Meghan Beaubien (1-2)
Key Moments vs. Northwestern
» Northwestern took a 5-0 lead by scoring one in the first and two each in the second and third. A solo shot by Morgan Nelson gave the Wildcats the early lead. Lily Novak's hit doubled the score before a pass ball made it 3-0. Morgan Newport launched a two-run home run to left for a five-run lead by the third.
» Destiny DeBerry recorded Carolina's first hit with a single in the third inning.
» Pinch hitter Lexi Godwin doubled to right before Destiny DeBerry singled to put Carolina in scoring position. Heads up base running on Leah Murray's single scored two Tar Heels to end the shutout.
» The Wildcats scored four runs in the seventh on a three-run double and RBI-triple.
» Murray drove in Carolina's third run on a single in the seventh.
» Hannah George earned the start, throwing 1.2 innings, and struck out the first batter of the game. Katie Grace Olinger threw 0.2 innings before Hannah Nommensen closed out the game. Nommensen threw four scoreless innings before the Wildcats plated four runs in the seventh.
» Winning pitcher: Danielle Williams (5-0) // Losing pitcher: Hannah George (0-2)
Noteworthy
» Leah Murray extended her hitting streak to nine games with a single against both Michigan and Northwestern.
» Abby Settlemyre and Kiersten Licea each had their first career home runs in the home opener vs. Michigan. Licea hit Carolina's first grand slam of the year.
» Lexi Godwin recorded her first career hit vs. Northwestern.
» Leah Murray tied a single-game career high with three RBI against Northwestern.
» The win over No. 17 Michigan was Carolina's second top 25 win of the season after defeating No. 9 South Carolina on Feb. 10.
» Today was only the second time in program history that UNC topped Michigan. The first was on March 1, 2003.
Up Next
The Tar Heels return to Anderson Stadium Saturday at 3 p.m. to face Northwestern before wrapping up the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Sunday at 12:30 p.m. vs. No. 17 Michigan.
Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
The 17th-ranked Wolverines scored first on a passed ball, but Carolina quickly evened up the score on a Destiny DeBerry RBI-single. With one runner on, Settlemyre slugged her first home run for a 3-1 lead in the fourth. Michigan answered back with a two-run shot by Lexie Blair. However, Licea slugged a home run of her own for Carolina's first grand slam of the season and the 8-3 win. Brittany Pickett struck out three in her second complete game victory.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Carolina returned to action to take on Northwestern. The Wildcats jumped to an early lead on a Morgan Nelson solo-shot in the first inning. NU took a 5-0 lead before Leah Murray's two-run single sparked Carolina's offense. However, Northwestern responded with four runs in the seventh. Murray drove in one more run in the bottom of the frame, but it was not enough for the win.
With the split decision today, North Carolina sits at 3-3 while No. 17 Michigan slides to 4-3 and Northwestern improves to 3-1.
Key Moments vs. No. 17 Michigan
» Michigan scored first on a passed ball in the second. However, Carolina quickly evened up the score. Berlynne Delamora send a deep base-hit to right after being down 0-2 in the count. With the bases loaded, Destiny DeBerry singled to left to score on runner and knot the game at 1-1.
» After a Delamora walk, freshman Abby Settlemyre launched a home run over the right field fence, scoring Delamora and giving UNC the 3-1 lead.
» The Wolverines responded with a two-run shot of their own by Lexie Blair
» With two runners on, Kristina Burkhardt grounded out but allowed a runner to score after both Leah Murray and Kiani Ramsey singled. A single and pair of hit-by-pitches loaded the bases before Kiersten Licea rocketed Carolina's second home run of the game and first grand slam this season.
» Center fielder Kiani Ramsey ran to her right and made a diving catch for the final out to close out the win for the Tar Heels for their second top-25 win of the season.
» Winning pitcher: Brittany Pickett (2-0) // Losing pitcher: Meghan Beaubien (1-2)
Key Moments vs. Northwestern
» Northwestern took a 5-0 lead by scoring one in the first and two each in the second and third. A solo shot by Morgan Nelson gave the Wildcats the early lead. Lily Novak's hit doubled the score before a pass ball made it 3-0. Morgan Newport launched a two-run home run to left for a five-run lead by the third.
» Destiny DeBerry recorded Carolina's first hit with a single in the third inning.
» Pinch hitter Lexi Godwin doubled to right before Destiny DeBerry singled to put Carolina in scoring position. Heads up base running on Leah Murray's single scored two Tar Heels to end the shutout.
» The Wildcats scored four runs in the seventh on a three-run double and RBI-triple.
» Murray drove in Carolina's third run on a single in the seventh.
» Hannah George earned the start, throwing 1.2 innings, and struck out the first batter of the game. Katie Grace Olinger threw 0.2 innings before Hannah Nommensen closed out the game. Nommensen threw four scoreless innings before the Wildcats plated four runs in the seventh.
» Winning pitcher: Danielle Williams (5-0) // Losing pitcher: Hannah George (0-2)
Noteworthy
» Leah Murray extended her hitting streak to nine games with a single against both Michigan and Northwestern.
» Abby Settlemyre and Kiersten Licea each had their first career home runs in the home opener vs. Michigan. Licea hit Carolina's first grand slam of the year.
» Lexi Godwin recorded her first career hit vs. Northwestern.
» Leah Murray tied a single-game career high with three RBI against Northwestern.
» The win over No. 17 Michigan was Carolina's second top 25 win of the season after defeating No. 9 South Carolina on Feb. 10.
» Today was only the second time in program history that UNC topped Michigan. The first was on March 1, 2003.
Up Next
The Tar Heels return to Anderson Stadium Saturday at 3 p.m. to face Northwestern before wrapping up the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Sunday at 12:30 p.m. vs. No. 17 Michigan.
Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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IF
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