2007 ACC Softball Championship: UNC's Norris Tosses Shut Out to Defeat Boston College 5-0 :: North Carolina will play Virginia Tech in the semifinals tomorrow.

May 11, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lisa Norris tossed a complete-game four-hit shut out as North Carolina stayed alive in the 2007 ACC Softball Tournament with a 5-0 win over Boston College Friday evening at JoAnne Graf Field on the campus of Florida State University.

"We got a great performance from Lisa (Norris) and Emily (Troup) came up big again," said UNC head coach Donna J. Papa. "I was very pleased with our discipline at the plate today. To get as many hits as we did in 12 innings today after only having one yesterday was big for our team. The effort in the circle from Lisa (Norris) made a big difference."

Troup started off hot for the Tar Heels as the sophomore tallied a double to center field in her first at bat in the bottom of the second inning that scored Anna Evans from first, giving UNC the early 1-0 advantage. Evans had earned a one-out walk to get on - the 85th base on balls of her career, a new school record.

In the bottom of the fourth, Troup tripled over the head of BC right fielder Amanda Booth for her second extra-base hit of the game, while Danielle Spaulding nailed a single up the middle to score Troup and give North Carolina a 2-0 lead.

UNC tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth as Cassie Palmer doubled down the left field line followed one out later by center fielder Breanna Brown's RBI single.

After Evans singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth, Troup blasted a shot off the top of the wall in right center field for yet another extra-base hit, a double that gave her seven total bases on the day.

Pinch hitter Ciara Rimoldi picked up an RBI with a lined shot up the middle that scored Evans and then Troup came home on an error by Eagle first baseman Dani Weir to make up the final 5-0 margin.

Norris picked up the win to move to 24-12 on the season, spreading four hits over seven innings and striking out six Boston College batters.

"UNC played better than we did," said BC head coach Jennifer Finley. "We fought until the finish and just ran out of steam. I thought (Lisa) Norris pitched a very good game."

With the win, the Tar Heels (45-18) advance to Game 12 Saturday at 1:30 p.m., where they will face top-seeded Virginia Tech (46-14). Boston College concluded the season with a 15-31 record.

"We are excited about facing Virginia Tech," stated Papa. "This is a tournament where anyone can win and we know that they (Virginia Tech) haven't lost, but we are taking a different route. We look forward to tomorrow's game."

Fans may watch live coverage of this year's ACC Tournament on ACCSelect.com. For more information on the ACC Spring Championships, visit TheACC.com.

GAME NOTES:

North Carolina shortstop Anna Evans earned a one-out walk to get on in the bottom of the second inning - the 85th base on balls of her career, a new school record.