UNC softball outlasts Syracuse, 10-9, in extra innings

The North Carolina women’s softball team (28-9, 8-4 ACC) held off Syracuse (21-13, 2-10 ACC), 10-9, in extra innings, on Sunday afternoon at Skytop Stadium in Syracuse, New York.

In a rainy, back-and-forth double-header match, the Tar Heels were victorious to clinch the win in their series against Syracuse this weekend. Coming off two strong offensive performances against UNCG and Louisville, North Carolina continued its win streak, setting a solid foundation for the upcoming ACC tournament.

The top of the first started off slow, as the Tar Heels scored a single run in their first attempt in the batter’s box. Junior left-fielder Lexie Roberts walked, and advanced to score off a single from graduate second baseman Kat Rodriguez to get North Carolina on the board first.

The Orange quickly returned the energy, tying the game after a single from right-fielder Taylor Posner allowed shortstop Jadyn Burney to score. Two more RBIs from catcher Laila Morales-Alvez, and center fielder Madelyn Lopez gave Syracuse an early two-run lead going into the second inning.

The Tar Heels cut the Orange’s lead to one point in the top of the fourth, with two walks and an RBI single from sophomore catcher Rayna Blackwell bringing the score to 2-3. 

A huge double from graduate shortstop Grace Jackson scored three runs for the Tar Heels, returning the lead to UNC. Neck-and-neck, both teams had a fair shot at taking the series, with the score sitting at 5-3 midway through the fourth.

Unable to capitalize on their opportunity at bat, the bottom of the fourth was scoreless for the Orange.

Senior first baseman Carlie Myrtle hit a huge homer over the center field wall in the top of the fifth, for three RBIs. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Syracuse finally found their spark. An RBI single from Kaimi Tulua brought the Orange their first run since the first inning, and forced UNC to pull Kenna Raye Dark for Britton Rogers. Maintaining this momentum, senior third baseman Kelly Breen hit an RBI single to center field, scoring another run for the Orange. Two ball-four walks for Vanessa Flores and Posner with the bases loaded made it a one run game, 8-7.

In a shocking turn from their performance the rest of the game, the Tar Heels were held scoreless in the top of the seventh by Syracuse’s Julianna Verni, giving the Orange a chance to take the game and win the series. Despite this golden opportunity, first-year right handed pitcher Lilly Parrish held off the Orange after a nail-biter half-inning.

Despite their impressive performance at the beginning of the match, North Carolina was in danger going into extra innings, after the Orange scored five unanswered runs. 

The eighth was silent for both teams, with solid pitching and immovable defense keeping the score gridlocked. 

In the top of the ninth, the Tar Heels broke the ice, regaining their lead after Rodriguez homered to left center.  In the bottom of the inning, Syracuse returned the one-run score after Burney reached on an error by center-field, forcing a tenth.

In the top of the tenth, with the bases loaded, graduate first baseman Shelby Barbee hit a single to left field, allowing Reece Outlaw to score. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Orange needed to score to win the game. Unable to do so, the Tar Heels took the win in the bottom of the tenth. 

The Tar Heels face their next opponent, UNC Charlotte, at Anderson Softball Stadium on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

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