UNC downs Drexel, 8-0, to start 2025 Tar Heel Invitational

UNC softball (5-2) defeated Drexel (0-6), 8-0, in its first home game on Thursday afternoon at Anderson Stadium to start the 2025 Tar Heel Invitational. 

North Carolina started the game on defense, with redshirt senior pitcher Britton Rogers making her second start of the season on the mound. 

Rogers struck out two of the Dragons’ hitters and sophomore outfielder Sanaa Thompson caught a fly ball as Drexel went three up, three down. 

Senior right fielder Alex Coleman started things off strong for the Tar Heels with a single, stolen base and then rounded out the bases off of junior outfielder Lexie Roberts’ single to give UNC its first run. 

Roberts also stole a base and gave the Tar Heels another score from graduate infielder Kat Rodriguez’s double. 

Thompson’s high hit to right field was caught but gave Rodriquez the chance to claim third base. Senior first baseman Carlie Myrtle then hit her second home run of the season to give North Carolina two more runs. The Tar Heels closed the first inning up 4-0.

Rogers gave up a hit in the first play of the second inning, but the infield defense was quick getting the ball to Myrtle at first to get the runner out. 

Rogers would go on to strike out the next two hitters to pitch another three-up, three-down. 

Going into the third inning, the score remained 4-0 after the Tar Heels went three-up, three-down. 

UNC’s defense had another scoreless inning, with graduate third baseman Shelby Barbee making an incredible catch. 

Myrtle took the defensive momentum into her first hit where she knocked a double into left field. Sophomore catcher Raeghan Carlson and Barbee followed with a single and double, notching another point for the Tar Heels. 

A quick double-play by the Dragons ended the third inning with North Carolina up by five.

With two runners on base, Rodriquez hit a double and sent Coleman in for her second run of the game. 

Thompson was faced with the same situation and also hit a double along the left baseline to send Roberts and Rodriquez home, extending the lead to eight. 

The game was mercy ruled with Rogers throwing the 10th perfect game in UNC history. 

The Tar Heels will finish out their doubleheader against Drexel with the next game slated for 5:30 p.m. 

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