Softball Falls to Duke in Bottom of Seventh

Thursday, April 22

Durham, N.C.

5 PM

North Carolina

12-20, 0

Duke

31-10, 0

North Carolina

Duke

April 22, 2021 | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Sarah Sessoms

DURHAM N.C. – Despite holding the lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the North Carolina Tar Heels fell 4-3 to a walk-off two-run RBI from the Duke Blue Devils on Thursday evening at Duke Softball Stadium.

A tight game throughout, the Heels took the lead in the third inning with a Kristina Burkhadrt double that brought in two runs. Carolina regained the lead over Duke in the fifth to make the game 3-2 until the seventh inning, when Duke's Jameson Kavel singled up the middle for the winning run to cross home plate.

Destiny Middleton led the team's six runs with two, and Kristina Burkhardt recorded two RBIs for the Tar Heels in the one-run loss. The Heels also boasted several outfield catches and defensive plays to help keep the Blue Devils from scoring in the middle of the game.

The Tar Heels face Duke again on Friday with a double header at Duke Softball Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

Game Recap:
» Despite an opening hit for Duke with a Jameson Kavel single through the left side, starting pitcher Katie Grace Olinger struck out the last out to close out the inning.
» Duke scored first, with a Crabtree double to left field in the bottom of the second, scoring Jackson to take the lead 1-0.
» Answering the Blue Devils' call, Kristina Burkhardt hit a long double to left field, with two RBIs from Destiny Middleton and Campbell Hutcherson.
» Duke tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single from Rachel Crabtree.
» Kiannah Pierce followed up with a double to center field in the top of the fifth, bringing home Destiny Middleton after her hit at the top of the order, taking the Tar Heel lead to 3-2.
» Katie Grace Olinger held on to the Tar Heel lead, going 1-2-3 in th bottom of the fifth.
» In the bottom of the seventh, Jameson Kavel singled for Duke, scoring two to clinch the win in a walk-off.
» Winning Pitcher: Shelby Waters (13-3) // Losing Pitcher: Katie Grace Olinger (1-8)

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