The North Carolina softball (17-12, 6-3) defeated the East Carolina Pirates (19-14, 1-2), 5-0, on Wednesday. The Tar Heels used a four-run fifth inning to grab control of the game, while junior Brittany Pickett had a two-hit shutout en route to her tenth victory of the season.
What happened?
After a scoreless four innings, North Carolina had three consecutive walks to begin the fifth inning before senior Kiani Ramsey hit a double to give the Tar Heels a 3-0 lead. Senior Berlynne Delamora singled to left to drive in Ramsey, making the score 4-0 before the end of the inning.
In the top of the seventh a leadoff walk by Pickett, a fielding error, and a Megan Dray walk set up the bases loaded with no outs for first-year Abby Settlemyre. She hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-0, which would prove to be the game's last score. North Carolina closed out the game in the bottom of the seventh to win.
Who stood out?
Pickett was dominant on the mound, surrendering just two hits and one walk in 6.1 innings with five strikeouts in a shutout gem. This gave Pickett her tenth victory and pushed the Tar Heels to 17-12 overall.
Pickett came in with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the first and forced a groundout, squashing any possible rally from ECU.
Coach Papa also commended the play of Ramsey, who had a great catch in center field and a three-run double that busted open the lead for North Carolina.
