However, UNC’s small-ball strategy couldn’t overcome FSU’s big ball, as the Seminoles homered their way to two consecutive victories in a doubleheader Sunday afternoon, winning game one 6-0 and game two 5-3 .
“It was disappointing overall,” UNC coach Donna Papa said.
The Tar Heels and Seminoles came into this weekend’s clash tied for first atop the ACC standings at 9-2 each, but it would be Florida State who would come out alone at the top after sweeping the Tar Heels 2-0.
“Florida State is a good team having a great year, but I felt very good about our chances today overall, but the biggest difference was that we didn’t hit the ball,” Papa said.
While the small-ball strategy clearly wasn’t enough to lead UNC to a victory, senior Amy Nece — a rare bright spot in an otherwise lackluster offensive outing by going 3-for-4 in game two — said the idea was to “scratch and claw” at the tough Seminoles.
“We definitely had a plan at the plate, and we stuck with it throughout both games,” Nece said. “I think our plan was working, we just needed to do a better job of execution.”
UNC ace Lori Spingola pitched five innings in game one before being relieved by freshman Kendra Lynch for the final two innings. Lynch continued for the first four innings of game two as well before being replaced by freshman Lauren Batten, who finished out the game.
None, however, could quiet the powerful FSU bats, as the Seminoles launched five home runs in the two games combined, accounting for five of their six runs in the first game and four of their five runs in the second .
