Saratoga, California – The Carolina softball team kicked off their West Coast trip with an exhilarating 11-6 extra-inning victory over California.
The action started in the first inning with Shelby Barbee’s sacrifice fly, putting UNC on the board at 1-0. MC Eaton quickly added to that lead with an RBI double.
Sydney Horton, in just her second start, made a big impact by launching a two-run homer deep into center field. This pushed the score to 4-0 early in the game.
California fought back, narrowing the lead to 4-3 in the fourth inning. However, Barbee answered with a double in the fifth, and Sanaa Thompson added another run in the sixth, extending the lead to 6-3.
But the Golden Bears weren’t done. They rallied, scoring three runs in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game at 6-6, sending it into extra innings.
In the eighth inning, the Tar Heels took charge. Thompson, who had four hits in the game, started the onslaught. Lexie Roberts and Emily LeGette both drew walks, setting the stage for Barbee’s sacrifice fly that put Carolina ahead. Eaton then drove in Roberts with a single. Raegan Jennings followed up with another single, scoring LeGette, and Rayna Blackwell capped off the inning with a two-run single, boosted by a fielding error, solidifying the score at 11-6.
Lilly Parrish returned to the mound in the eighth to close out the game and earned her fourth win of the season.
Key Takeaways:
- This victory marks UNC’s fastest path to 20 wins in program history.
- The Tar Heels have homered in 22 consecutive games, showcasing their offensive power.
- LeGette’s on-base streak has now reached 17 games, although her hitting streak ended at 16.
- Barbee increased her season RBI total to 34.
- Horton celebrated her second career home run.
This game represents not just a win, but a showcase of determination and skill, highlighting the resilience of the Tar Heels. With exciting performances like this, the team is set to make waves this season.
For more insights on college softball trends, check out the NCAA’s official statistics here.
