The North Carolina softball team (25-8, 6-3 ACC) defeated Louisville (19-12, 3-6 ACC), 14-3, on Sunday afternoon in the Anderson Softball Stadium to clinch the series. The Tar Heels started slow before exploding for nine runs in the third-inning.
Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitched Britton Rogers started on the mound for the Tar Heels. After walking the first batter, Rodgers held the Cardinals scoreless, finishing the inning with a line out to left field.
At the bottom of the second, Myrtle smashed the first pitch deep over the left field wall, opening the score. The Tar Heels quickly loaded the bases with two consecutive singles from graduate outfielder Kianna Pierce and sophomore catcher Raeghan Carlson. Graduate infielder Grace Jackson chopped a ball over the pitcher for an RBI single.
The Cardinals manage to stop the bleeding, leaving three runners stranded on base as the Tar Heels take a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore outfielder Ava Venturelli led the Cardinals off the top of the third. On the third pitch, Venturelli hit between third and left field to get on base. Rogers struck out another batter swinging with her splitter. The Tar Heel defense got the ground out at first, maintaining their two-point lead.
Thompson drew a walk before swiftly stealing second base. Myrtle continued her home run streak, blasting a two-run shot to right center. Not to be outdone, Pierce followed up with a home run of her own.
Then, senior outfielder Alex Coleman scored on a fielder choice before graduate infielder Kat Rodriguez singled toward third for another RBI.
Thompson stepped up to bat for the second time this inning, fouling off multiple pitches. Thompson dug her heels and brought up the bat, as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. She launched the ball straight over the center field wall for another North Carolina home run. The Cardinals finally ended the inning, but the Tar Heels established an 11-0 lead going into the third.
Louisville gained some ground with a three-run RBI from sophomore center fielder Jac Hasty to decrease the deficit to 11-3 in the top of the fourth. The Tar Heels brought in lefty sophomore Nikki Harris, who promptly shut the door of the Cardinals.
