UNC softball uses eight run seventh inning to take down UNCG, 15-5

The North Carolina softball team (26-8, 6-3 ACC) trounced UNC Greensboro (23-10, 1-2 SoCon), 15-5, on Wednesday night at the UNCG Softball Stadium.

After UNCG held a 4-2 lead, UNC outscored UNCG 11-1 between the fifth and seventh innings to secure the victory. An eight-run seventh inning gave the Tar Heels the advantage en route to a trouncing of the Spartans.

Junior pitcher Kenna Raye Dark started for UNC in this matchup, before being replaced by redshirt senior pitcher Britton Rogers in the fourth inning, who tallied five strikeouts.

North Carolina started off strong with two walks by junior left fielder Lexie Roberts and graduate second baseman Kat Rodriguez, but left two runners on base in a scoreless first inning.

On a 3-1 count, UNCG center fielder Grace Loftin fired a solo homer to left field, just over the outstretched glove of sophomore center fielder Sanaa Thompson in the bottom of the first. The Spartans led, 1-0.

A three up, three down followed for the Tar Heels in the second. UNC was able to hold off the Spartans later in the inning after a strikeout swinging by Dark and three quick outs. UNCG’s offensive momentum halted — leaving two runners in scoring position.

In the top of the third, Coleman snuck a hit through the outfield for a single to advance graduate shortstop Grace Jackson to third. With two runners on, Rodriguez stepped up, notching her 47th RBI of the season to send Jackson home for the 1-1 equalizer. 

Senior first baseman Carlie Myrtle gave the Tar Heels a 2-1 lead with a quick line drive to left field for a double and bringing Coleman home. 

This lead didn’t last long, as UNCG pitcher Jorde Chartrand promptly responded with a two-run homer. The Spartans led, 3-2.

UNC had two runners on base and two outs in the top of the fourth – but a wild foul ball caught by UNCG shortstop Jessie Shipley ended the Tar Heels’ possession.

Rogers took over for Dark in the bottom of the fourth. With a runner perched on base, Shipley fired a single to left field for the RBI to put the Spartans ahead 4-2, before a Rogers strikeout ended the inning.

Rodriguez started off the fifth inning with a bang – striking a solo homer deep beyond center field to chip into the UNCG lead. Myrtle followed suit with a deep homer of her own, tying the game at 4-4.

The Spartans came up empty handed in the bottom of the fifth, with two consecutive outs culminating in another Rogers strikeout swinging.

After Jackson recorded a single to begin the sixth inning, Roberts and Coleman laid down a pair of bunts to load the bases with no outs. 

Rodriguez found a gap in the outfield for a double RBI to give UNC a 6-4 lead. Graduate designated player Kiannah Pierce fired a high hit to center field for an RBI as Coleman made it home before Rodriguez was tagged out. The Tar Heels led, 7-4.

To begin the sixth, UNCG third baseman Macy Michael blasted a home run over the fence, cutting the deficit to one. Rogers then recorded three consecutive strikeouts to halt UNCG's momentum.

North Carolina dominated the seventh inning. With no outs, three consecutive hits by Roberts, Rodriguez and Thompson saw the lead surge to eight. With bases loaded, UNCG gave up two more runs after Pierce recorded a double and bringing Thompson home. Then, a sacrifice line drive brought in first-year infielder Reece Outlaw. UNC defeated the Spartans, 15-5.

UNC will head to Syracuse on Friday at 3 p.m., slotted to take on the Orange in a three-game series.

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