UNC softball salvages Sunday win behind composed Pickett

It didn't look good for North Carolina softball, but the Tar Heels were able to salvage a win on Sunday in their weekend series with Notre Dame behind inspired play from Kendra Lynch and Brittany Pickett.

It started off rough for UNC (31-11, 10-5 ACC) on Friday, as the Fighting Irish (21-15, 8-7 ACC) were able to escape in extra innings with a 2-1 win in nine innings to set the Tar Heels back.

The following game, North Carolina was held hitless and runless for the first time since 2014. Notre Dame starter Katie Beriont went the distance, tossing a no-hitter to blank the Tar Heels.

"We had opportunities we let go by," head coach Donna Papa said. "But today we cashed in on those opportunities."

Led by Lynch, the Tar Heels turned it around with a 7-5 win to end on a high note.

"I'm really excited that we were able to respond the way we did (on Sunday) ..." Papa said. We hung on and got a win."

Even though it was just a typical ACC road matchup for the Tar Heels, the game held a little extra for Lynch — who played just 150 miles north of her hometown of Indianapolis.

The senior sparked UNC, going 3-for-4 with the highlight being a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to help her own cause on the mound.

"It was good to attack early and score first," Lynch said. "I think whenever we score first, we play the game with a lot of momentum on our side."

Hitting was contagious for North Carolina on Sunday, as the Tar Heels tallied runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

The run support took pressure off Pickett. The first-year lefty tossed eight innings of two-run ball in Saturday's extra-inning loss, but she came into Sunday determined to bring a win back for the Tar Heels.

"Warming up today, I was telling myself, "I was gonna do good," she said. "'Gonna do better than yesterday.'" 

Pickett dueled for UNC, going the distance for the second time in as many days. It was relatively smooth sailing until things got rocky in the bottom of the seventh. The Tar Heels were up three, but the Fighting Irish loaded the bases with only one out and scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to two runs.

"Yeah, I felt a little pressure, but I knew I had to keep my composure because everyone around you playing would've seen it, too," Pickett said. "Being like the center on the mound and everything, they all look up to you. So I knew I had to keep myself cool."

Pickett did just that, grinding out the last two outs to end the threat and give the Tar Heels a Sunday win.

"Great day for us to do it," Papa said, "and get momentum going into the week."

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