The North Carolina softball team (10-8, 1-0) defeated Duke (9-13, 0-1), 4-2, on Friday afternoon. This gives the Tar Heels a one game lead in their series against Duke and their first conference win of the season.
What happened?
UNC started the game at bat in the top of the first inning and scored the first run. First-year Abby Settlemyre was on third base and first-year Shayla Thompson had just stolen second base. Sophomore Megan Dray stepped up to the plate and hit a single to center field. Settlemyre ran towards home plate and scored the first run for the Tar Heels, giving them a 1-0 lead over Duke.
The Blue Devils tried to close the gap, but were having a tough time doing so. In the top of the third inning, senior Kiani Ramsey scored for UNC after a single to right field by senior Berlynne Delamora. Ramsey’s run would put the Tar Heels on top 2-0
Facing a two run lead by UNC, Duke managed to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. First-year Kristina Foreman hit a double to left center field and junior Raine Wislon ran across home plate, giving the Blue Devils their first run of the evening.
The Tar Heels scored two runs off of a single by redshirt sophomore Kristina Burkhardt in the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the seventh inning redshirt sophomore Jazmine Moreno scored a run for the Blue Devils, but it was too late for a comeback. Senior Leah Murray made the final out of the game for the Tar Heels in the bottom of the seventh inning, propelling UNC to a 4-2 victory.
Who stood out?
Burkhardt stood out the most this game with her impressive batting in the top of the fifth inning. She hit a single up the middle for two RBIs and gave the Tar Heels a 4-1 lead over Duke. Burkhardt’s two RBIs were a major factor in North Carolina securing the win, because it gave them a buffer from Duke for the remaining innings.
When was it decided?
