A strong start wasn't enough for the North Carolina softball team, as an early 1-0 lead after three innings turned to a 9-1 loss at South Carolina on Wednesday at Beckham Field in Columbia, S.C.
The Tar Heels (2-4) started off strong against the Gamecocks (4-1), with reigning ACC Pitcher of the Week Kendra Lynch striking out 2015 First-Team All-American Alaynie Page on her way to a no-hit first inning. Lynch later tripled in the second and first-year pinch runner Kiana Sherlund scored in the next at-bat on a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead.
That lead would hold until the bottom of the fourth, when a South Carolina leadoff double followed by a single led to a two-on, no-out situation. Lynch drew a comebacker to the mound, but the junior threw the ball home in the dirt, allowing two runs to score.
“We kind of self-destructed after that,” Coach Donna Papa said.
South Carolina followed up with a double and a single, and after a UNC pitching change, the Gamecocks scored on a squeeze bunt to take a 4-1 lead. Another RBI single and an unearned run from third on an attempted double play to give South Carolina a 6-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.
After going 1-2-3 in the top half of the fifth, the Tar Heels switched pitchers again with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom half of the frame. Sophomore Sydney Matzko gave up two hits, driving in all three inherited runners to trigger an eight-run advantage for the Gamecocks and effectively ending the game.
Papa said she thought her team needed to communicate better defensively and avoid letting little mistakes compound into a big inning.
“I think we’re a good defensive team,” she said. “But you have to throw and catch well.”
Offensively, Papa was pleased with how the team swung the bats and took the lead on the road to start the game. But she was disappointed with her team mustering just one hit against South Carolina.
