Following the cancellation of South Carolina’s Carolina Classic, the UNC softball team had a strong start to the season, winning its first game against Boston College 7-3 in the ACC Pod on Friday.
What happened?
In the first inning, sophomore third baseman Destiny Middleton started the game off strong, as she hit a double down the left field foul line.
When redshirt sophomore outfielder Kristina Burkhardt hit a single to left field, she advanced to second base, allowing junior outfielder Shayla Thompson to advance to third. Middleton was then able to score the first run on a throwing error by the Eagles' left fielder.
The second inning was successful for the Tar Heels, as Middleton hit a single to center field, resulting in first-year outfielder Kayla Baptista advancing to third base. Thompson’s single to the pitcher then allowed Middleton to advance to third, bringing Baptista in for a RBI. Subsequently, Thompson was able to steal second base and advance to third. Middleton then scored on a throwing error from the catcher, putting UNC at three points.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Eagles' Gianna Randazza hit a home run to center field, bringing in another teammate for two runs.
Following the second inning, things slowed down as the Eagles and the Tar Heels were now tied at 3-3. There were no more runs until the seventh inning, when the Tar Heels brought home the win.
In the final inning, Middleton singled to left field. She then advanced to second base on a passed ball. Thompson singled up the middle and advanced to second base, resulting in Middleton advancing to third.
Burkhardt was walked when she stepped to the plate, but directly after, junior designated hitter Kiersten Licea singled to left field, bringing in Middleton for a RBI and leading to Burkhardt’s advancement to second and Thompson’s advancement to third.
