The North Carolina women’s softball (18-4, 0-0 ACC) team fell to Michigan (14-6, 0-0 Big Ten), 2-0, on Tuesday night at Anderson Softball.
The game went four innings without a score from either team and Michigan proved to be a real test for the Tar Heels.
“I mean, it was pretty even,” graduate student outfielder Kiannah Pierce said.” I mean, we had similar hits. They just came through clutch a few more times than we did tonight.”
UNC ended the first inning with zero runs, hits or errors.
Junior right-handed pitcher Kenna Raye Dark kicked off the second inning with three strikeouts. Senior first baseman Carlie Myrtle went second at bat and found herself on first after a hit straight up the middle. However, that was not enough momentum and Michigan swiftly ended the inning.
Dark earned the Tar Heels another strike out, sending them into the bottom of the third with a 0-0 tie. Sophomore catcher Raeghan Carlson kicked off the inning with a base hit, sending first-year outfielder Bryten Burns to pinch run for her. Senior left fielder Lexie Roberts singled through the left side and a bomb to center field by graduate third baseman Kat Rodriguez almost sent Burns home but ultimately left North Carolina short.
“Kenna pitched a great game,” head coach Megan Smith Lyon said. “She did a great job, bouncing back after giving up a home run. I thought she was in control the whole game.”
The fourth inning ended with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the fifth, with two outs, Michigan's Jenissa Conway found the ball and smacked it out of the park to left center, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.
