Feb. 10, 2008

Tar Heels Take Carolina Classic Title

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina softball team posted a 5-2 win against East Carolina in the championship game of the Carolina Classic on Sunday as Emily Troup earned MVP honors with her nine runs scored and seven RBIs during the tournament, including a perfect 4 for 4 day in the championship game. The Tar Heels will travel to UNC Wilmington for a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday before heading to Florida for the Cox Communications Classic next weekend.

Amber Johnson delivered a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first before Troup opened her perfect day with an RBI single to center field as Christine Knauer waltzed home from third before Breanna Brown was cut down at the plate denying Troup a second RBI.

The consistent Tar Heel offense put another run on the board in the bottom of the second taking advantage of a Pirate error. Whitney Allen, with two home runs in the tournament, was pitched around and drew a leadoff walk before being replaced on the base paths by the speedy freshman Dani Manko.

Barnes, Morris Lead #17/18 Softball Past Lipscomb, 2-1

PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. - Brittany Barnes hit the game-winning solo home run in the top of the seventh inning as the No. 17/18 Georgia Tech Softball Team (2-2) defeated Lipscomb, 2-1, this afternoon in the consolation finals of the Georgia State First Pitch Classic. Freshman Stephanie Morris (1-0) picked up her first collegiate win as she allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five.

Like Tech's first game of the day against Tennessee-Martin, this one was shaping up to be a pitcher's duel early on. Lipscomb pitcher Kim Jacobson faced the minimum number of Jackets in the first three innings. She allowed a single to Brittany Barnes, but Barnes was erased trying to stretch it into a double. Meanwhile, Tech freshman Stephanie Morris cruised through the first two innings, but Lipscomb broke through with some small ball in the third.

A bloop double down the left-field line and a bunt single gave Lipscomb runners at the corners with nobody out. After a ground out moved the runner to second base, Christen Campbell laid down a successful suicide squeeze to put the Lady Bisons on top 1-0. It could have been much worse for Tech, but Morris got Abby Keese to hit into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double-play.

Humphreys' Shutout Leads #17/18 Softball Past UT-Martin 2-0

PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. - Senior Whitney Humphreys tossed a five-hit shutout with nine strikeouts as the No. 17/18 Georgia Tech Softball Team (1-2) defeated Tennessee-Martin 2-0 this morning in the final game of pool play at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic. Freshman Jessica Weaver hit her third home run in as many games this season, a solo shot in the fourth inning that gave Tech all the offense it would need.

After the first two innings, the game was shaping up to be a pitcher's duel between Tech's Whitney Humphreys and Paij Lintz of UT-Martin. Humphreys allowed an infield single in the second inning, but used a pair of strikeouts to keep the Skyhawks off the scoreboard. Tech had a base runner in each of the first two frames, but could not get past first base.

UT-Martin nearly broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth, but Tech centerfielder recorded her third outfield assist in as many games. Savannah Roberts got hit by a pitch with two outs and then pinch runner Ashley Byrd stole second base. Megan Van Arsdale singled up the middle and Roberts tried to score, but a charging Butler in centerfield threw a perfect strike home and Tech catcher Jessica Weaver blocked the plate and applied the tag.

Hokies Fall to 21st-Ranked Mizzou, 2-1

MIAMI - Virginia Tech committed four errors and had just three hits in dropping a 2-1 decision in softball to 21st-ranked Missouri Sunday morning on the final day of the FIU Invitational.

Tech got on the board in the second inning. Charisse Mariconda singled up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Misty Hall. Caroline Stolle singled to left center and Mariconda came in when the throw from the outfield went astray.

The Tigers got back in the game in the third inning, scoring an unearned run. A hit and two Tech errors allowed Mizzou to load the bases before Angela Tincher walked Lindsey Ubrun on four pitches to bring home a run.

Missouri won the game in the seventh on another Tech error. A leadoff walk and a single put two on with no one out. Eventually Amanda Renth hit a ground ball to Mariconda, who misplayed the ball and it rolled into the outfield, allowing the winning run to score.

Maryland Softball Falls to Michigan, 5-2

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The University of Maryland softball team lost its first game of the year, 5-2, to 12th ranked Michigan on the final day of the FAU Kick-Off Classic. The Wolverines struck early, with Samantha Findlay hitting a two-run home run to left field in the first inning.

The Terps responded in the first when Jenny Belak singled and scored on an error, but the Wolverines hit back with two in the second.

Meghan Booth scored for her fourth straight game in the sixth inning on a Niki Lau sacrifice bunt.

The Terrapins dropped to 3-1 on the season while Michigan improved to 4-1, avenging its 2-0 loss to the Terps on Friday afternoon.

Sarah Dooley (1-1) suffered the loss for Maryland after pitching only one inning, allowing two runs. Kerry Hickey came on to pitch in the second and struck out three in two innings, while Meredith Nelles completed the game with three strikeouts in four innings of work.