This weekend at Anderson Stadium, though, UNC (26-22, 10-11 ACC) used its small ball to take the series from No. 18 Notre Dame (35-8, 10-5 ACC), two games to one. UNC took pitches, got deep in counts, drew walks, slapped down bunts and hits and ran the bases well to put themselves in position to win.
“Fantastic,” Coach Donna Papa said of her team’s performance. “Win it at home (on) senior weekend. I’m so proud of this team.”
UNC won the opening game on Sunday 7-4 before falling in the second half of the doubleheader 12-2. In Monday’s rubber match, the little plays led to the big ones, as UNC rallied to a 7-6 win.
Destiny DeBerry and Aquilla Mateen used speed to beat out throws for infield singles, going a combined 6-for-7 at the plate. With four stolen bases combined, DeBerry and Mateen jump started the Tar Heel offense when they needed it most, including a crucial double steal to set up Brown’s game-winning sacrifice fly to score Mateen.
“When you can get both of them on, they can wreak havoc,” Papa said.
Brown walked six times during the series, breaking the school record for career walks and scoring three runs.
“I’m just waiting for my pitch, and if they’re not gonna give it to me, it’s another opportunity for another girl to drive me in,” Brown said.
Defense came up huge for the Tar Heels as well. UNC committed only one error in the series. Second baseman Taylor Wike snagged a sinking line drive to end the four-run Notre Dame fifth inning and threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the seventh.
