The UNC softball team (37-14, 13-9 ACC) beat Notre Dame (23-27-1, 7-15 ACC), 9-1, in the first game of the final series of the regular season Friday evening in Melissa Cook Stadium.
Notre Dame was unable to hold up against the barrage fired by North Carolina, with seven different Tar Heels putting up runs in a landslide win against the Fighting Irish.
After an uneventful first inning, senior first baseman Carlie Myrtle got the game going with a double off the back wall, her first-year pinch runner Bryten Burns advancing to third after a sacrifice fly out to right field by Graduate designated hitter Kiannah Pierce. The Tar Heels were unable to score, however, netting their third out off a final strike at the plate and bringing Notre Dame up to bat. After managing to get runners on both first and second, the Fighting Irish were shut down by an impressive ground ball recovery and throw to first by Graduate shortstop Grace Jackson.
Notre Dame Junior pitcher Micaela Kastor had North Carolina’s number at the top of the third, sitting her third straight Tar Heel down for her fifth strike out of the game. The Fighting Irish weren’t able to break the scoreless streak, however, ushering the game into the fourth.
UNC came roaring into the top of the fourth, sophomore center fielder Sanaa Thompson leading the way with a double along the left baseline, sending Graduate Infielder Kat Rodriguez to third and opening the door for a score. A pitch later, a single by Myrtle sent them home, leaving the Tar Heels up 2-0. North Carolina was able to add another one to the board after an error allowed Jackson to reach first, sending Sophomore catcher Rayna Blackwell home.
Following another scoreless inning by Notre Dame, the Tar Heels were back up to bat. Rodriguez gave UNC a chance to add to its lead after doubling and advancing to third off a ground out to second. The inning came to a close after Pierce struck out swinging, netting the final out and sending the game into the bottom of the inning.
After an out at the bottom of the fifth, Notre Dame got things moving when first-year right fielder Avery Houlihan reached first off an error by Jackson at shortstop. A single and an error later, the bases were loaded for the Fighting Irish, with Senior left fielder Emily Tran stepping up to the plate. After two strikes and a walk, Tran singled to shortstop, allowing Houlihan to make it home, the score now 3-1.
UNC answered at the top of the sixth with a run of their own, with Blackwell homering over the center field wall. A double and a walk later, North Carolina managed to load the bases off a single by Senior right fielder Alex Coleman. The Tar Heels scored on the next three plays, finding home after a walk given to Junior left fielder Lexie Roberts, a passed ball, and a single up the middle by Rodriguez. The lead was extended when Graduate third baseman Shelby Barbee was hit by a pitch, allowing Rodriguez to score her second run of the night, the score now 9-1.
North Carolina won after a defensive lockdown at the bottom of the sixth led to the game being mercy-ruled, final score 9-1.