Kristen Brown leads UNC softball to series win

Kristen Brown walks up to the plate in the third inning of the second game of the North Carolina softball team’s away doubleheader against N.C. State. The ACC’s home run leader has no long balls and only one hit through eight at-bats so far during the three-game series.

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.

“Our game plan is just to keep battling,” Brown said. “We just lit her up in the third game, and there was no going back from there.”

Ultimately, three games in two days for Weiman proved too much. The former ACC pitcher of the year threw over 300 pitches, and with fatigue came mistakes that proved to be deadly against a potent UNC offense.

“This lineup straight through is just power — you’re not going to get it past us,” Brown said. “If you make a mistake, Carolina is going to smack the ball out of the park.”

Brown’s second home run gave her 43 for her career, tying her former teammate, catcher and 2013 grad Haleigh Dickey, for UNC’s career record for home runs. Brown frequently says she doesn’t try to hit a home run; she just swings and the ball goes out. During stretches where she isn’t hitting as well as she’d like, she just keeps swinging.

For the girl they call “Downtown,” it’s only a matter of time.

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