North Carolina had it in the bag — or so it appeared.
Up four runs through four innings, the third-seeded Tar Heels seemed to be well on their way to an easy win against seventh-seeded N.C. State to earn a spot in Sunday’s ACC Tournament Championship.
Then things changed quickly. The Wolfpack took the lead thanks to a five-run fifth inning, and the mood at Anderson Stadium went from relaxed to shocked.
But the Tar Heels weren’t done. Instead, they responded with four runs – all with two outs – of their own in the bottom of the fifth to earn a 8-7 win and the chance to play for an ACC title in their home ballpark against top-seeded Florida State on Saturday.
“It was a total team win, and I’m really excited for both of our seniors to be able to play for an ACC championship at their own home field,” UNC head coach Donna Papa said.
Center fielder Destiny DeBerry, an unlikely source of offensive production, was the one responsible for UNC (38-18, 14-9) retaking the lead, as she sent in a pair of runs with a single to right field.
Two batters later, junior shortstop Taylor Wike’s base hit plated two more. UNC senior designated player Kendra Lynch, who helped the Tar Heels jump out to a four-run lead in the first with a three-run home run, earned the win, as she gave up one run in 2.1 innings of relief.
Still, the Wolfpack did not quit. They pulled within one run and had the game-tying run on third base with two outs in the seventh before UNC first-year pitcher Brittany Pickett, who started the game but re-entered the contest to relieve Lynch, recorded the final out.