James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
James Madison University
3-3
North Carolina
8-3
JMU FALLS TO #25 NORTH CAROLINA 8-0
2/27/2010 12:30:00 AM | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 26, 2010 - Right-hander Danielle Spaulding threw her third consecutive no-hitter and hit a two-run home run to propel No. 25 North Carolina to an 8-0 five-inning win over James Madison in softball action at Anderson Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday.
UNC picked up a pair of wins during day one of the Tar Heel Invitational to improve to 8-3 this season, while the Dukes fell to 3-3 and 0-1 in the tournament.
Spaulding struck out 12 of the 16 batters she faced and carried a perfect game into the fifth inning before a leadoff walk by freshman designated player Haley Johnson (Ashburn, Va./Broad). She retired the next three batters she faced to complete her third no-hitter of the season and the sixth of her career.
The senior helped her own cause, going 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, a run scored and a walk at the plate.
Designated player Brittney McKinney (2-for-2), center fielder Anna Roberts (2-for-3) and catcher Ally Blake (2-for-2) all collected multiple hits and four different players drove in runs to lead the Tar Heel offense.
UNC took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning without putting the ball in play. Blake led off the inning with a walk and was lifted for pinch runner Tisha Mahon. Mahon stole second on the first pitch of the ensuing at bat before moving to third on a wild pitch. First baseman Constance Orr picked up the second Tar Heel walk of the inning to put runners on the corners. Pinch runner Dani Manko then took off for second drawing a throw from junior catcher Katie Spitzer (Broadway, Va./Broadway) that allowed Mahon to score. A McKinney single, the first hit of the game, and a JMU error made it 2-0.
Freshman right-hander Cara Stecher (New Castle, Del./Caravel Academy) relieved fellow freshman Heather Dindinger (Riner, Va./Auburn) to recorded the final two outs of the inning and avoid further damage.
Spalding made it a 4-0 advantage, launching her third home run of the season to right-center field. Roberts scored on the play after getting on base with a one-out single.
UNC added three runs to its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Right fielder Stephanie Murad starting things off by reaching on a fielding error by second baseman Michelle Clohan (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) and McKinney walked before both runners came around to score on pinch hitter Haleigh Dickey'
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Danielle Spaulding (4-1)
L: Dindinger, Heather (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Haleigh Dickey 1
HR: Danielle Spaulding 1
RBI: Haleigh Dickey 2 ; Anna Roberts 1 ; Danielle Spaulding 2 ; Brittany McKinney 1
SH: Constance Orr 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Christine Knauer 1 ; Anna Roberts 1 ; Danielle Spaulding 1 ; Ally Blake 1 ; Tisha Mahon 1 ; Elisha Elliot 1 ; Brittany McKinney 1 ; Dani Manko 1
SB: Christine Knauer 1 ; Tisha Mahon 1 ; Elisha Elliot 1 ; Dani Manko 1
