Thursday, March 24, 2011

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell's softball team (16-15) rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat North Carolina (19-12) by a 7-4 score in the team's second game of the day at the Eakes Athletic Complex on Wednesday, March 23. Campbell has now defeated the Tar Heels once a year in three of the last four seasons. The Camels lost the first game to the Tar Heels by a 6-1 score.

After falling behind by a 3-0 margin after the top of the third inning to the Tar Heels in the second game, the Camels rallied to tie the game with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore Brittany Arnn began the rally with a lead-off walk. Senior Lizzie Goldbach was inserted to run for Arnn and moved to second by beating the throw of the second sacker as junior Christina Melton reached on a fielder's choice. Senior Keeli Michael loaded the bases with her single through the left side. Senior Katie Hinton pushed a single through the middle to score Goldbach. Senior Amanda Miller then hit a fielder's choice RBI ground out in which she also reached as Melton beat the throw home. Senior Lauren Stephan drove in Michael with a sacrifice fly and tied the game at three all.

CU kept the offense going and took the lead for good with four runs in the fourth inning. Freshman Raven Lee started the frame with her fourth home run of the season. Sophomore Sarah Forgacs then roped a single to first. Arnn attempted to sacrifice Forgacs over but the ball was thrown away allowing the Danville, Va. native to reach and Forgacs to move all the way to third. Melton then reached on a fielder's choice grounder in which no out was recorded. UNC changed pitchers and Lori Spingola struck out the first two she faced and was one out from escaping unscathed when Miller pushed a single to right to score Forgacs and Arnn. Miller was then picked off second as Melton stole home for CU fourth run of the inning and seventh of the game.

The Tar Heels drew a run closer in the firth. Ally Blake doubled to start the inning. Elisha Elliott ran

Note: The day was Campbell's annual "Strike Out Cancer Day" in which cancer survivors including senior Amanda Littlejohn were recognized...Littlejohn ended her Campbell career with a .296 batting average to go along with 18 home runs and 96 RBIs.

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