Softball Drops Game Three at No. 15 UNC, 3-1

Sunday, April 20

Chapel-Hill, N.C.

1:00 PM

NC State

27-23, 8-10

North Carolina

45-8-1, 16-1

NC State

North Carolina

4/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. Three unearned runs in the bottom of the first propelled No. 15 North Carolina over NC State, 3-1, on Sunday, April 20. Lindsay Campana (16-15) suffered the loss despite holding the ACC’s best statistical offense to only three hits while picking up five strikeouts.

Amber Johnson (12-1) got the win for UNC, giving up four hits, a walk and an earned run.

The loss moves State to 27-23 (8-10 ACC) while the Tar Heels jump to 45-8-1 (16-1 ACC).

The Pack quickly took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Shanna Smith singled through the left side, stole second and then took third on a wild pitch ball four to Alyssa Allbritten. Claudia Cooper then sent a fielder’s choice to third, and Smith was able to slide in safely at home before Alyssa Francona’s throw made it to the plate.

The door opened for UNC to bounce back with three unearned runs in the bottom of the first following a costly two-out error. Campana had no problem retiring the first two batters, but when Danielle Spaudling reached on an E4 everything seemed to go helter skelter.

Emily Troup drew a walk and Jennifer Jacobs singled on a chopper back to the circle. Ashley Oxendine, running in place of Spaulding, then scored on a wild pitch before Whitney Allen laced a two-RBI single through the right side.

Troup doubled with two down in the bottom of the third, but Blair Harkey made a diving grab in center on a Jacob’s liner to keep the Tar Heels from adding to its lead.

Cooper lined a two-out base hit just past Christine Knauer’s glove at short in the top of the sixth, but Allison Presnell went down swinging to end the inning.

State will return to the field this Wednesday, April 23, with its final home stand of the season at the Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium. The Pack will host Coastal Carolina for two games, beginning at 4 p.m. Live stats will be available via GoPack.com.