Brown swings and connects with the second pitch. It soars to left field, eventually drifting too far left and going foul.
But for the girl they call “Downtown,” it’s only a matter of time.
The very next pitch Brown hits to the opposite side of the park. This time the ball stays fair, and Brown triumphantly circles the bases. In her next at-bat she connects again, this time driving it low out over the left-center field wall. UNC goes on to win 6-2, earning a 2-1 series victory.
“This one was really special because it’s a big rivalry — there’s no question about it,” said Coach Donna Papa on Saturday. “It’s tough to come here and play, and it’s tough to come away with two wins.”
Led by senior pitcher Emily Weiman, N.C. State bottled up UNC’s high-powered offense for most of two games. Despite getting nine hits, UNC could only generate two runs in the series opener Friday night, falling 6-2.
In the opening game of Saturday’s doubleheader, Weiman held UNC scoreless until the sixth inning when first baseman Jenna Kelly hit a three-run homer to give her team a 3-2 lead it would not relinquish.
“For her to hold us down for so long the first two games, I give her props,” Kelly said.
The momentum from Kelly’s home run carried into the final game. In addition to Brown’s two home runs, Kelly blasted her second of the day and outfielder Kendra Lynch added a solo shot to propel UNC to a 6-2 win.