Softball snaps 5-game losing streak

The North Carolina softball team brought its five-game slide to an end in dramatic fashion Wednesday, as it swept a doubleheader against College of Charleston. But the pair of wins could not have been more different.

Crystal Cox allowed a stingy one earned run and struck out 10 Cougars en route to a 9-1 laugher in game one that ended in the fifth inning.

SOFTBALL Charleston 2 UNC 3 Charleston 1 UNC 9

But in game two, the Tar Heels could find no answer for the pitching of Cougars ace Natalie Smith. Shortstop Anna Evans finally broke through with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, sparking a three-run rally that gave North Carolina (22-19) a 3-2 comeback victory.

“We really needed to turn a corner,” said head coach Donna Papa. “(Wednesday), there were two ends of the spectrum. There was one game where we blew a team out, and then we had to come back from behind. So we got both done, which is great for your team.”

Tar Heel freshman Jennifer Jacobs led the offense, going 2-for-2 with four RBI in the first game. In game two, Jacobs drove in the go-ahead run, capping the Tar Heel comeback.

“I’m really happy to finally get my hits,” said an excited Jacobs. “I haven’t had that much opportunity, so it’s good to come through.”

During the fourth inning, North Carolina broke the game open with six runs, and Jacobs provided the game’s highlight — a two-run homer crushed over the right field fence.

Cox said she was comfortable on the mound, adding that the UNC offense was “a pitcher’s dream” in game one.

“You can really throw your pitches with ease, and it really takes some of the pressure off,” Cox said.

Pressure, though, was exactly what Cox faced in game two. Papa sent Cox to the mound in the top of the seventh inning to close out the game — replacing Alison Yin, who had relieved Ashley Allen in the third — and protect the team’s one-run lead.

After allowing a walk, Cox struck out two of the next three batters and picked up her fourth save of the season. Yin earned the win.

“We fought back from behind, and I kind of felt like I had to do it for them,” Cox said.

The victory against the Cougars (29-12) was the first her team has won after trailing in the fifth inning this season.

UNC dropped two games to South Carolina on Tuesday, but Papa said, “(Wednesday) we told them, ‘You have got to do better than this. Step up and get it done.’”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.