Softball Wins First, Drops Second To Split Series Vs. UVA

Sunday, April 11

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Noon

North Carolina

12-14, 8-8

Virginia

12-21, 8-16

Virginia

North Carolina

April 11, 2021 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score Game One Highlights

By: Sarah Sessoms

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –

With an 11-6 win on the first leg of the double header against the Virginia Cavaliers, North Carolina could not clinch the series against the Wahoos dropping the second game, 8-5.

The Tar Heels came out with hot bats in game one versus Virginia, taking the lead at 3-0 in the first inning. The Cavaliers answered the call with a 4-score inning at the top of the third to take the lead, but could not hold that lead for long, as Carolina came roaring back in the bottom of the third and never lost the lead again. Campbell Hutcherson led the Heels with her first home run of the season, three hits, three runs and three RBIs, to strengthen the Heels' offense. Gaby Katz recorded her first career victory in the circle to even the series at 1-1 in the first of two games.

Despite a late-inning rally to tighten the score of second game of the twin bill, North Carolina stopped short. Carolina struck first with Destiny Middleton scoring on a Kiersten Licea single, but Virginia jumped to 6-1 lead in the top of the second, scoring two more to take an 8-1 lead in the third. Kiersten Licea led the comeback with a long homer to centerfield and the Heels scored in both the fifth and sixth, but could not catch Virginia.

Carolina (12-15, 8-9 ACC) heads to Pittsburgh next weekend for the first of two road trips, while Virginia adds a win to their 13-21 (9-16 ACC) season.

CAROLINA 11, VIRIGINA 6:
» Carolina pitcher Gaby Katz started the game with three up three down, beginning the her first career win in 1-2-3 fashion.
» A flurry of hits, including Campbell Hutcherson's long double, starts the Heels' offense to take a 3-0 lead.
» Virginia answers the 3-0 lead with four hits and four runs, capitalizing on a fielding error by the Tar Heels to score as well.
» Brittany Pickett was brought into pinch hit with th bases loaded in the bottom of the third and drew the RBI to tie the game. Carsyn Snead then scored off a grounder to take the lead to 5-4.
» Kiersten Licea hit a long double in the fourth to score Kristina Burkhardt, followed by singles from Campbell Hutcherson and Bri Stubbs, extending the lead to 8-4.
» Cavalier Tori Gilbert scored on passed ball in the top of the sixth.
» First home run of the season by Campbell Hutcherson brought the score to 11-5.
» Virginia attempted to rally at the top of the seventh with Ashley Jennings reaching the plate, but left players on the bases at the end of the inning.
» Winning Pitcher: Gaby Katz (1-1) // Losing Pitcher: Molly Grube (2-2)

VIRGINIA 8, CAROLINA 5:
» Destiny Middleton reached first base with a grounder and fielding error from the Cavaliers, and Kiersten Licea's single brought her home for the 1-0 lead.
» In the top of the second, Virginia scored twice on a pair of fielding errors, then a long home run by Goldberg took the score up to 5-1.
» Another Cavalier home run, this time from Kate Covington, extended the Hoos lead 6-1  HR
» Alyssa Stanley is brought in to the circle to replace Katie Grace Olinger, and was able to close out the inning for the Heels.
» Virginia centerfielder, Emma McBride hit a long triple to score Leah Boggs and Arizona Ritchie to take the score to 8-1.
» Abby Weaver struck out looking against Alyssa Stanley, Stanley's first strikeout of the day.
» The Tar heels rallied in the bottom of the fifth with a double from Destiny Middleton. Kianah Pierce reached first and stole second, and Middleton scored on a Kristina Burkhardt groundout, closing the gap to 8-4.
» In the bottom of the sixth, Kayla Baptista singled then moved around the bases, scoring on a Wahoo fielding error to bring the Tar Heels to six runs.
» The Cavaliers brought in Madison Harris to pitch, but the Tar Heels fail to even the score, giving Harris the save.
»Winning Pitcher: Mikayla Houge (4-5) // Losing Pitcher: Katie Grace Olinger (1-4) // Save: Madison Harris (2)

Notable
» Campbell Hutcherson's first home run of the season and first since March 1, 2020.
» Gaby Katz's first career win in the circle for the Tar Heels.

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