In the last game of the regular season, North Carolina softball (26-27, 13-10 ACC) picked up a midweek victory, 10-9, against the Furman Paladins (22-33).
What happened?
After a quiet first inning, Furman’s Alex Rose Molinar hit a three-run homer to right field in the top of the second. Following a series of errors and another three runs from Furman, UNC exited the second frame down six.
To gain momentum, senior center fielder Bri Stubbs hit a double that allowed junior left fielder Carsyn Snead to score. Working to end their deficit, sophomore pitcher Carlie Myrtle quickly singled bringing Stubbs home. The Tar Heels ended the third down 6-2.
Following a quiet fourth inning, Furman’s Kiley Perry opened the fifth inning with a long ball to center field, extending the lead to five. The Tar Heels were unable to respond in the bottom of the inning.
Refusing to give up, redshirt first-year catcher Isabela Emerling hit a three-run jack to center field that decreased the Tar Heels’ deficit to just two in the bottom of the sixth frame. Working to take the lead, Stubbs quickly followed with a single, driving in Snead.
Following a double to left field from Myrtle, the Tar Heels tied the Paladins in the bottom of the sixth. Feeling the shift, graduate first baseman Kiersten Licea doubled down the left field line. Senior third baseman Destiny Middleton quickly hit in two more runners, increasing the Tar Heels' lead to three runs. North Carolina overtook Furman for the first time during the matchup after an eight-run inning.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Furman’s Perry — who refused to go out easily — hit a two-run homer. Still, the Tar Heels quickly followed with the third out to win 10-9.
