Redshirt senior pitcher Britton Rogers trusted in the players behind her. Even as Radford batters started attacking each pitch, Rogers believed in herself.
“It’s freeing on the mound to know that I can go right at hitters because my defense [has] my back,” Rogers said.
During the game, UNC’s infield and outfield worked in harmony to ensure Radford’s hitters never stepped on home plate. Led by Rogers, the Tar Heels shut out Radford, 8-0, on Tuesday night at Anderson Softball Stadium. North Carolina retired batters in order through four consecutive innings, and Rogers recorded her second complete game. At one point in the sixth inning, she retired 16 straight batters.
“She set a really good tone and our defense could settle in and got confidence,” head coach Megan Smith Lyon said. “Definitely had a good day defensively and pitching [wise]."
With Radford's scrappy style of play, Rogers said it was vital to prevent a momentum shift. The Highlanders tried to attack Rogers' pitches head-on from the pitch. But the right-handed pitcher mixed different pitches to keep hitters on their toes. According to Lyon, Rogers' arsenal counteracted Radford's play.
The Highlanders could rarely craft a response to Roger’s pitches, but even when they did, UNC’s defense squashed any chances of runners reaching first.
“We made all the routine plays — the plays that we had to make — and it made us feel like we were in control the entire game,” Jackson said.
In the top of the fifth, sophomore outfielder Sanaa Thompson ran to the opposite side of the field, leaping to catch the ball. For the fourth-straight inning, UNC only faced three batters.
The Highlanders found contact again at the top of the sixth inning, but graduate shortstop Grace Jackson made quick work to track down the ground ball and throw it to senior first baseman Carlie Myrtle.
