SOFTBALL DUKES FALL 5-1 TO #25 NORTH CAROLINA

Sunday, February 28

Chapel Hill, N.C.

3:00 p.m.

James Madison University

5-4

North Carolina

10-3

James Madison

North Carolina

2/28/2010 10:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CHAPEL Hill, N.C., Feb. 28, 2010 - No. 25 North Carolina scored five runs combined in the fifth and sixth innings to pick up a 5-1 come-from-behind win over James Madison in the championship game of the Tar Heel Invitational at Anderson Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sunday.

JMU fell to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the tournament to finish in second in the four-team event. The Tar Heels improved to 10-3 and went 4-0 on the weekend to claim the championship.

The game was a pitcher's duel early as JMU freshman right-hander Cara Stecher (New Castle, Del./Caravel Academy) and UNC right-hander Danielle Spalding traded scoreless frames through the first four innings.

Sophomore second baseman Caitlen Manning (Prince George, Va./Prince George) broke up the shutout in the top of the fifth inning, crushing a 1-2 offering out over the center field fence. It was the first career home run for Manning and the third of the day for JMU after junior catcher Katie Spitzer (Broadway, Va./Broadway) hit a pair of homers in the Dukes first game of the day against Pittsburgh.

North Carolina took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, breaking through on Stecher for three runs. The Tar Heels loaded the bases on back-to-back walks followed by a soft line drive over the second baseman's head. Pinch hitter Haleigh Dickey evened the score at one apiece with a fly ball into short center field off the tip of the second baseman's glove before sophomore shortstop Ashley Burnham (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) turned a line drive by pinch hitter Kelli Wheeler into a double play. Center fielder Anna Roberts delivered the crucial hit for UNC, driving a two-run double down the left field line.

Freshman Heather Dindinger (Riner, Va./Auburn) came in to get the final out of the inning, forcing a foul out from Spaulding.

Third baseman Brittany Robinson extended the North Carolina lead to 5-1 with a two-run shot to right center in the bottom of the sixth.

Spaulding picked up the win to improve to 5-1 this season. She gave up five hits, one run, walked two and struck out 10. It was her fifth consecutive game with double digit strikeouts.

Stecher gave up five hits, three runs, walked three and struck out one in 4 2/3 innings pitched to fall to 3-3 on the campaign. Dindinger gave up two hits, two runs and two walks in 1 1/3 innings pitched.