UNC softball splits opening day of The Spring Games

The North Carolina softball team (5-2) opened up its weekend playing in The Spring Games with a 2-1 win over Florida Atlantic University (1-4) and a 5-2 loss to No. 17 Missouri (6-2) in Leesburg, Fla. on Friday.

What happened?

In the first game against Florida Atlantic, UNC junior Destiny Middleton walked to open up the first inning, but was out after attempting to steal second base. Sophomore Kiannah Pierce grounded out and graduate Sara Jubas’ popup ended North Carolina’s first inning at bat. 

FAU’s Sara Berthiaume hit a single and stole second base, but then UNC senior pitcher Hannah George pitched three consecutive strikeouts to close out the first inning.

FAU's defense made a double play on junior Bri Stubbs and sophomore Carsyn Snead, ending the Tar Heels’ second inning. The Owls could not come up with a strong response, however, as the Tar Heels produced two strikeouts and a lineout.

The first score came in the top of the fourth inning. Jubas hit the ball down the middle of the field for a single, then senior Taylor Greene walked. A drive from redshirt sophomore Kianna Jones led to FAU’s shortstop making a throwing error, allowing Jubas to score the first run of the game.

Following a scoreless fifth inning from both sides, the Owls threatened to score in the sixth. After Kaitlyn Cunningham hit a single up the middle, Berthiaume came around to score to tie the game.

In the top of the seventh, the Tar Heels took the lead when Stubbs scored on a passed ball. Florida Atlantic’s Caryssa Orland managed to hit the ball to center field for a single, but strong defense from the Tar Heels denied the Owls from equalizing the game, preserving the 2-1 victory.

The game against Missouri was similarly close, with the Tigers managing to pull away in the sixth inning. The first score came in the third inning, when Missouri's Kara Daly hit a home run.

The Tigers took a commanding 3-0 lead in the fourth inning when Kimberly Wert hit a home run with Kendal Cook on second base. Alex Honnold’s triple on the subsequent play almost put even more pressure on North Carolina, but a strikeout and a popup kept the Tar Heels within reach of making a comeback.

The Tar Heels rallied during the last play of the bottom of the fifth inning, when Jones hit a double for two RBIs, allowing Jubas and Middleton to score to trim the lead to 3-2.

But then, the Tigers responded with two runs of their own in the sixth inning when Gabi Deters stole second base and Maddie Snider stole home on the same pitch. A Daly single allowed Deters to score, putting Missouri up 5-2.

North Carolina attempted to muster a comeback and had two innings left at bat, but the stout Tiger defense and pitching effectively prevented the team from doing so.

Who stood out? 

George’s nine strikeouts against FAU served as a cornerstone to a stifling Tar Heel defense that held the Owls to one run.

Additionally, Jones continued to impress with a two-RBI double against a ranked Tiger team. Without her hitting prowess, the contest could have been decided much earlier.

When was it decided?

The game against FAU went down to the seventh inning, when the passed ball allowed Stubbs to score. With FAU’s Maddie Carlock playing as a pinch runner for Orland’s single, the Owls had a chance to win the game in walk-off fashion, but Donnie Goubourne lined out, ending the bottom of the seventh inning.

Missouri’s two runs in the sixth inning extended its lead to three to amplify pressure on UNC, and its 3-0 start in the first four innings provided a comfortable lead throughout the rest of the game.

Why does it matter?

Coming off a tough walk-off loss to Elon, the Tar Heels kicked off an action-packed weekend with solid performances in competitive games. Jones demonstrated her crucial role at bat, and George continued to be sharp at the pitcher’s mound.

With a 5-2 record, North Carolina is off to a good start in producing a winning season, as they finished the previous two years with losing records.

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels are slated to play Monmouth at 11 a.m. and Stetson at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. 

@danielhwei

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