Thursday, April 01, 2010

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Freshman Brittany Arnn earned her first career win and drove in three runs to lead Campbell's softball team (15-18-1) to an upset victory over the No. 22 North Carolina (25-11). The win for Campbell was the first over a ranked opponent since knocking off the Tar Heels in the 2008 NCAA Regional.

Arnn (1-3) came in relief and threw six innings with only one run allowed on four hits. She also went 2-for-2 at the plate with three RBIs. The loss went to Amber Johnson (16-9), who allowed four runs in 4.1 innings pitched in relief

The Tar Heels scored three in the first inning. Tisha Mahon was hit by a pitch, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch as Alley Blake was walked. Both runners came in to score on Kelli Wheeler's home run. The home run was her eighth of the season and third in the last two games.

CU tied the game in the third inning. Senior Cassie Webb and junior Keeli Michael both walked. After two were retired in force outs, Arnn picked up her first career hit to score pinch senior Robin Leathers. The throw from the outfield was mishandled by the catcher and skirted away to allowed freshman Sarah Forgacs to score. McGee then doubled to left field to score Arnn and tie the game at three all.

Keeli Wheeler untied the game in the third inning with her one-out solo home run. The home run was her second of the game.

The Camels tied the game in the fourth inning. Junior Katie Hinton reached on an infield single and raced all the way around the bases on Webb's double to the gap in left field.

The Tar Heels nearly broke through in the bottom of the frame. Haleigh Dickey walked. Cara Vitale then reached on an infield single off the glove of the Campbell third baseman. A sacrifice bunt moved both pinch runners up a base but Arnn was up the challenge and struck out the next two in order.

The Camels' offense capitalized on the momentum and scored a run in the fifth inning. Forgacs pushed an infield single to third. Arnn produced her second run scoring hit of the game, a double to right center, to score her fellow freshman.