The UNC softball team (23-28, 6-18 ACC) fell to the Syracuse Orange (25-20, 7-15 ACC), 9-1, in the third game of its weekend series and the final game of North Carolina’s season.
What happened?
The Orange jumped out to an early lead thanks to a run in the bottom of the first inning. After graduate student Neli Casares-Maher singled to center field, a groundout from first-year Tessa Galipeau scored Casares-Maher to put the Orange up 1-0.
The Orange tacked on another seven runs in the following two innings.
In the bottom of the second inning, junior third baseman Rebecca Clyde singled to right field to score redshirt senior outfielder Carli Campbell. A triple from sophomore outfielder Angel Jasso and a single from Casares-Maher brought in two more runs for the Orange, bringing the score to 4-0.
In the bottom of the third inning, a triple from graduate outfielder Paris Woods brought in three runs, scoring first-year Taylor Posner, Campbell and sophomore Ryan Gallegos. This was followed by a single from Jasso that scored Woods, as Jasso reached base for the third time in just three at-bats.
This prompted a pitching change for the Tar Heels, as first-year righty Carlie Myrtle was brought in to pitch for first-year lefty Lilli Backes. Myrtle struck out Casares-Maher to end the four-run frame for the Orange.
With the score at 8-0, senior first baseman Kiersten Licea stepped up to the plate and delivered a much-needed home run in the top of the fourth inning. Despite this, UNC was unable to accrue any more runs in this inning. After redshirt sophomore Kianna Jones walked, a strikeout, pop-up and a runner caught stealing ended the inning for the Tar Heels.
Despite a seven-run lead, Syracuse’s offensive onslaught still wasn’t done. In the bottom of the sixth inning, a home run from Jasso ended the game early thanks to an eight-run lead.
