On Wednesday evening, the North Carolina softball team (13-3) defeated in-state opponent Elon (5-8), 13-2, to extend its winning streak at Anderson Field to nine games.
Junior pitcher Kenna Raye Dark recorded her ninth start for the Tar Heels against the Phoenix.
The scoring began after two walks and a single from freshman infielder Ella Fox, as UNC loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second. Then, a two-out base hit from junior outfielder Lexie Roberts put the Tar Heels up 2-0.
Two batters later, a hard hit ball down the left field line by sophomore outfielder Sanaa Thompson snuck under the Elon defenders glove, plating two more.
“To be able to score first is a big deal for us,” head coach Megan Smith Lyon said. “To do that tonight, I thought that was huge.”
The Phoenix responded in the top of the third, cutting the lead in half with two sacrifice flies. Elon tallied only two hits in the contest.
UNC’s offense stayed hot in the third inning, as graduate infielder Grace Jackson and Roberts each tallied RBI singles to extend the lead to 7-2.
In a balanced offensive effort, the Tar Heels finished with 11 hits from seven different players.
A six-run fourth inning was highlighted by sophomore catcher Rayna Blackwell’s second hit of the game, a line drive double that raced to the fence. UNC led 13-2 after the frame.
