Softball: Brown Heels slide past UNC-Charlotte

Breanna Brown took off in a dead sprint to steal second base.

As Brown slid into second" the throw from UNC-Charlotte catcher Tenaya Tucker bounced off Brown's hand and into the outfield.

The errant throw allowed her to keep running as she rounded the remaining bases and scored the team's first run en route to a 2-0 victory against the 49ers.

""I saw the ball coming down" and then it hit my hand" Brown said. And then coach (Donna Papa) kept sending me.""

The No. 12 Tar Heels had 22 straight wins entering Wednesday but struggled early to continue their long-standing streak.

Through four innings"" UNC was held hitless but still led 1-0 on Brown's steal.

Papa said the team had a difficult time adjusting to Charlotte pitcher Emily Jeffery early in the game which stalled its offensive production.

""It was definitely a talk in the dugout that we weren't going to let them no-hit us"" starting pitcher Danielle Spaulding said. That's kind of a slap in the face.""

That talk was answered by Brittany McKinney. In the top of the fifth inning" she supplied the team's first hit with a lead-off double.

Though McKinney would not cross the plate in that inning she energized the UNC bats heading into the sixth. In that frame" Spaulding knocked an RBI single to right field to solidify the final score.

 ""We manufactured a little run with Christine (Knauer) laying down a great bunt" stealing second and then Dani got that key hit Papa said. Two runs with Lisa (Norris) and Dani on the mound is good" but you'd always like to have a little more cushion.""

That cushion proved to be good enough as the Tar Heels (44-7) turned in another strong defensive performance — their sixth shutout in the last eight games.

Spaulding" a junior pitched three hitless innings until Norris finished the last four and notched her 22nd win of the season.

The duo of Spaulding and Norris has been one of the most dominating rotations in the country" which they showed again Wednesday.

""With the way that they throw and what they do to batters" I feel confident" Papa said. I'm not nervous.""

The 49ers were held to only two hits in the game and were never able to string any kind of offense together due in large part to Norris' stifling pitching.

The senior confused the Charlotte (27-13) batters with a combination of her fastball and off-speed pitches.

""I don't really think of pressure; it doesn't really bother me" Norris said. I just always focus on hitting my spots" and I have great defense so I don't have any worries or anything.""

The win marked the last home game of the regular season for the Tar Heels" and for UNC's six seniors" it was a memorable moment.

""It's an emotional thing. It was my last home game" and I really wanted the win" Norris said. It's just an amazing feeling to win your last home game ever.""


Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.