Abbey Temple, UNC Athletic Communications (Photo Courtesy of North Carolina Athletics)
FULLERTON, Calif. – North Carolina dropped a 9-3 game to Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday, moving to 2-6 for the season. Kristen Brown homered and posted two RBIs for Carolina, but Fullerton’s hot bats proved too much for the Tar Heels.
Brown put Carolina on the board early with a solo shot in the first inning, but the Tar Heel bats were quiet much of the game.
Fullerton answered Brown’s homer with a three-run shot by Gabby Aragon in the bottom frame.
The Titans tacked on another four runs in the third as Lauren Mario hit a two-run triple and then scored as Rubio doubled to left center. Leesa Harris then singled down the left field line, plating Rubio and increasing CSF’s lead to 7-1.
In the sixth, Kelly was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a ground out. Stephanie Kridercame in to run for Kelly and scored as Kendra Lynch singled up the middle.
Fullerton responded quickly as Ariel Tsuchiyama homered to right. Eliza Crawford was hit by a pitch, and Paige Kisling came in to run. Kisling moved to second as Mario singled past shortstop.
Samantha Galarza then singled to center, scoring Kisling to make it 9-2.
The Tar Heels added one more run in their last at-bat. Aquilla Mateen walked then moved to second on a passed ball. She advanced to third as Amy Nece singled and then scored as Brown reached base on a fielder’s choice.
Carolina split time between three pitchers on Tuesday. Lori Spingola (2-4) took the loss, pitching two innings with two strikeouts, one walk and three runs. Ashley Bone tossed 3.1 innings in her first showing this season, giving up two runs and five hits while fanning three.
Up Next: Bank of Hawaii Invitational
UNC heads to Hawaii for the remainder of the week, taking part in the Bank of Hawaii Invitational in Honolulu. The Tar Heels will face San Jose State and St. Mary’s on Friday and Hawaii on Saturday. An additional game will be added on Saturday as well as on Sunday, with opponents dependent on UNC’s results in the first three games of the tournament.
