Orange End Series With Loss To UNC

Sunday, February 21

Chapel Hill, N.C.

10 AM

Syracuse University

2-2, 2-2

North Carolina

4-1, 4-1

Syracuse

North Carolina

2/21/2021 10:40:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Host North Carolina (4-1, 4-1 ACC) overcame an early, 2-0 deficit, and defeated Syracuse (2-2, 2-2 ACC), 4-2, at Anderson Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Syracuse Scores Early
The Orange got on the board first, plating two unearned runs in the second inning. Neli Casares-Maher opened the frame with a single up the middle and, following a strikeout, Calista Almer reached on a fielding error. Casares and Almer then executed a successful double steal to put runners at second and third. Cesares-Maher scored on a fielders choice and Almer crossed the plate on a groundout.

Alexa Romero started on the hill and pitched 3.1 innings before she was relieved in the fourth inning. Romero yielded just one run and struck out two Tar Heels.

The Heels Rally
North Carolina rallied in the fourth inning. With two runners on, Kirsten Licea doubled two left center, scoring pinch-runner Kiannah Pierce and Kristina Burkhardt. Licea advanced to third on Syracuse's throw to the plate and then score on pinch-hitter Lexi Goodwin's sacrifice fly.

The Tar Heels added an insurance run in the fifth inning on Burkhardt's one-out, sacrifice fly.

Tar Heel Hurler Halts Orange
Brittany Pickett recovered from Syracuse's two-run second inning by shutting down the Orange the rest of the way. Pickett improved to 3-0 on the year after limiting Syracuse to two hits and striking out 10 batters.

Next Up
Syracuse is scheduled to return to action ni the Winthrop Garnet/Gold Classic next weekend. The Orange open the four-game weekend with a matchup against St. Francis on Friday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. in Rock Hill, S.C.