Softball Falls To Wisconsin, Villanova On Day One Of Joan Joyce Classic

Friday, February 24

Boca Raton, Fla.

11:30 A.M.

North Carolina

6-5

Wisconsin

4-6

North Carolina

Wisconsin

Photo by: Ashley Steltenpohl

Softball Falls To Wisconsin, Villanova On Day One Of Joan Joyce Classic

February 24, 2023 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Carolina softball team dropped a pair of games on the first day of the Joan Joyce Classic in Boca Raton, falling to Wisconsin, 4-2, and Villanova, 5-1. With the two losses, the Tar Heels fall to 6-6 on the season.

Carolina's offense struggled on the day, tallying just eight hits compared to a combined 20 from their opponents between the two games.

Alex Brown accounted for three of Carolina's hits, going 3-of-5 at the plate with a stolen base. Abby Settlemyre had two of the Tar Heels' three RBIs, hitting a two-run home run against Wisconsin, her third long ball of the season, tying Kiersten Licea for most on the team.

On the base path, Carolina went 4-of-5 in stolen base attempts, led by Destiny Middleton with two stolen bags. Behind the plate, Annie Kate Dalton caught three Wisconsin players stealing, tallying a career-best three throw outs.

GAME 1: Wisconsin: 4, Carolina: 2
The Badgers opened the game hot, striking out back-to-back Tar Heels to close out the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, Wisconsin took a 3-0 lead, plating three runs on three hits, including a two-run home run.

It remained a 3-0 game until the bottom of the fourth when Wisconsin hit a triple to center, followed by a sacrifice bunt which made it 4-0 in favor of the Badgers.

Settlemyre's home run got Carolina on the board in the top of the sixth, scoring Kiersten Licea, who reached on an error earlier in the inning, to make it 4-2.

Wisconsin was able to retire the Tar Heels in order in the top of the seventh to seal the victory.

Brown went a team-best 2-of-2 at the plate in the loss.

Lilli Backes (3-3) was on the hook for the loss in the circle, throwing 3.1 innings, allowing four earned runs with two strikeouts. Carlie Myrtle pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just three hits and three strikeouts.

GAME 2: Villanova: 5, Carolina: 1
The Tar Heels struggled at the dish against the Wildcats, with Villanova outhitting Carolina 12-4. The Wildcats' 12 hits were the most hits the Tar Heels' pitching staff has allowed this season.

After a scoreless first inning, Villanova took a 1-0 lead in the second after back-to-back doubles.

The Wildcats added to their lead in the top of the fourth, plating three runs on five hits to go ahead 4-0.

Villanova then opened the top of the six with a solo home run to take a 5-0 lead.

Carolina wouldn't go down without a fight, stringing together a hit, a walk and a hit, including an RBI single from Kianna Jones in her first hit of the season, to make it 5-1 with no outs.

However, Carolina finished the game with two runners stranded, finising the inning with back-to-back-to-back pop outs.

Up next, the Tar Heels will rematch Wisconsin tomorrow at 9 a.m., before facing host Florida Atlantic at 11:30 a.m. on day two of the Joan Joyce Classic.

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