April 21, 2008

Raleigh, NC (UWIRE) -- CHAPEL HILL -- The softball team scored its only run of the weekend Sunday, but allowed three as N.C. State dropped its third game in a row to host North Carolina by a count of 3-1. No. 15 UNC swept the series against the Wolfpack after winning both games of a doubleheader on Saturday by 1-0 scores.

Sophomore pitcher Lindsay Campana allowed just two hits in Saturday's first game, but one sailed over the center-field wall as pitcher Danielle Spaulding helped her own cause by scoring the only run of the contest. Spaulding, who was the starting pitcher for the Heels, earned her fifth shutout victory of the season.

In game two, a passed ball in the fourth inning allowed the Tar Heels to break a scoreless tie, and UNC kept the Pack off the board to seal the series victory. Junior pitcher Mendy McKenzie took the loss as State dropped its first ever series to the Heels.

In Sunday's contest, the Pack scored early when sophomore Claudia Cooper drove senior Shanna Smith home in the top of the first, but State would not hold the 1-0 lead for long. Campana retired two batters in a row, but after a runner reached on error, UNC took advantage as the Heels pushed three runs across the plate to take a 3-1 lead.

"We made errors, and they took advantage," coach Lisa Navas said. "When we kick the ball around like we did, you can't expect to do well."

Campana allowed only one more hit in the game, a double in the third, and struck out five, but the Pack couldn't bring a runner home as the game ended with the go-ahead run on deck.

The loss dropped State to 27-23 overall and 8-10 in ACC play, as the top-ranked Tar Heels swept their fifth ACC series in a row. The Pack had won nine straight against the Heels coming into Saturday and led the all-time series 11-2 before being swept. Losses to UNC have been rare in recent years, and freshman catcher Alyssa Allbritten said they hurt.

While Allbritten has her own reasons for not liking Florida State, the Pack will need a strong effort against the Seminoles to avoid its first losing ACC season since 2004, the team's first year of competition.

"It's a gut check," Allbritten said. "We just have to come out ready to play and hit better. I hope [getting swept by UNC] pushes us."

Navas, while acknowledging that Wolfpack errors lost the game, also said this year's UNC team wasn't the same as in years past.

"They're ranked 15th in the nation," Navas said. "They're supposed to beat us."

(C) 2008 Technician via UWIRE