(Photo Courtesy of North Carolina Athletics)
Box Score: UNC 4, UL 2
Box Score: JU 3, UNC 1
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Carolina softball came from behind to knock off No. 23 Louisville but fell to Jacksonville in the first day of play at the JU Tournament.
Kati Causey had a home run and three RBIs in the win over the Cardinals, and Amber Parrish finished the day with three hits, including a homer, and one RBI. Lori Spingola earned the win in the victory over Louisville.
“I was really excited about how we played against Louisville, especially that we fought back from being down two runs,” head coach Donna J. Papa said. “We did a lot of really good things in that game, and it was a total team win.”
“I was really disappointed with game two,” Papa said. “I felt like we didn’t battle up at the plate. Our pitching was very good today, but Jacksonville really hit the ball, and that’s what you have to do to win games. We didn’t do enough good things to win that game, but there’s always tomorrow. Hopefully we can come out and take it to them when we face Jacksonville again tomorrow.”
Game One vs. No. 25 Louisville:
After four scoreless innings, Louisville’s Taner Fowler hit a double to left before Kayla Soles hit a two-run shot out left, putting the Cardinals up 2-0.
Carolina answered in the sixth when, after Parrish singled to left, Causey hit a two-run shot out left to even the game at 2-2.
In the seventh, Aquilla Mateen and Amy Nece hit back-to-back bunt singles. Jenna Kelly was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Jillian Ferarro, who reached on a fielder’s choice as Mateen beat the throw home. With bases still loaded, Causey also reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Nece to make it 4-2.
Lori Spingola (2-2) earned the win, striking out three in six innings. Lauren Batten earned her first save, pitching two innings while only giving up one hit.
Game Two vs. Jacksonville:
Jacksonville got on the board early as Codi Kelly hit a solo home run out right field in the first.
In the fourth, Meagan Balding hit a hard double to left center. Sable Lee came in to run for Balding and scored off another double by Jackie DiPiazza down the left field line.
The Dolphins scored again in the fifth when Karson Tuck tripled to center and scored on a sac bunt by Emily Sanchez.
Down 3-0 heading into the final inning, the Tar Heels got on the board when Parrish hit a solo shot to left center.
Kendra Lynch took the loss against the Fins, giving up six hits and two runs while striking out two and walking one. Lauren Batten pitched two innings, giving up two hits and one run with one strikeout.
