UNC softball dominates Louisville, 13-5, in second game of weekend series

The North Carolina softball team (24-8, 5-3 ACC) defeated Louisville (19-11, 3-5 ACC), 13-5, on Saturday afternoon at Anderson Softball Stadium to tie up the weekend series. 

“This part of the season is kind of crucial for us because it really determines what type of team we are," senior right-handed pitcher Kenna Raye Dark said. "So us coming out today, stepping on their necks and attacking hard off the gate from the start of the game, that shows who we are and that shows that we really do have some fight.”

The Tar Heels destroyed the Cardinals in a display of offensive dominance. After a slow start, North Carolina kicked into gear, earning five hits in one inning and prevailing after a tough loss last night. 

Louisville quickly scored two runs on its first opportunity to bat. Two runs from center fielder Chelsea Mack and catcher Bri Despines earned the Cardinals an early lead. 

“We [were not] fazed," head coach Megan Smith Lyon said. "And we're ready to make the adjustment we need to from [the loss] yesterday."

To start the bottom of the first, a quick single from senior right fielder Alex Coleman combined with two big hits from second baseman Kat Rodriguez and center fielder Sanaa Thompson set up the Tar Heels with the bases loaded. With a quick single to left center from Kiannah Pierce, Rodriguez and Coleman ran home, tying the game 2-2 going into the second inning.

“We evened it up," Lyon said. "We neutralized their two runs. We were ready to attack. "I really think the biggest adjustment from our hitters from yesterday to today was just being calm, believing in themselves and not putting too much pressure on themselves.”

Dark took the mound for the Tar Heels at the top of the second, pitching a quick shutout half-inning. Unable to capitalize on their opportunity to take the lead, UNC was also scoreless in the second inning. 

After a solid hit to left field from Alex Coleman, the Cardinals swapped out Mullen for right-handed pitcher Sam Booe. The substitution was not much help, as the Tar Heels continued to excel offensively. Rodriguez had another hit out to center field, and Thompson singled again. 

Senior Carlie Myrtle homered the ball high to left center field, allowing Thompson and Coleman to score, bringing the lead to 5-2 for the Tar Heels.

North Carolina’s offensive streak continued with a second home run from sophomore catcher Raeghan Carlson. 

The bottom of the fourth was a display of offensive dominance for North Carolina. With sophomore left-handed pitcher Brooke Gray pitching for the Cardinals, Louisville continued to struggle to find its footing at the mound. A quick double from Thompson earned two more runs for the Tar Heels, stretching their lead to 8-2. 

A single from Carlson allowed Pierce, first-year pinch runner Skylar Young and Thompson to score again. Heading in to the fifth inning, North Carolina led 11-2.

Trailing by eight, the Cardinals scored two off a triple out to right field from right fielder Char Lorenz, hoping to close the deficit at the top of the fifth. A double from Louisville's catcher Madison Pickens allowed Lorenz to score, bringing the score to 11-5.

The Tar Heels pulled Dark for sophomore left-handed pitcher Nikki Harris, who helped North Carolina escape the half-inning holding on to a six-point lead.

A massive home run from Thompson was the final blow against the Cardinals to end the ball game. Both Thompson and Rodriguez ran home on the hit, bringing the final score to 13-5.

The Tar Heels are set to conclude the Louisville series Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. in Anderson Stadium.

"There's no pitcher on that staff we can't hit," Thompson said. "And there's no hitter on the other team that we can't get out. Especially after today, there's no reason that we shouldn't come out tomorrow and take the series.”

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