The No. 23 North Carolina softball team swept Virginia this weekend in a three-game series. The Cavaliers fell to 18-15, 2-7 ACC while North Carolina improved to 33-10, 7-2 ACC.
In the series opener, it took North Carolina 12 innings to claim the 3-1 victory. The following game, North Carolina's offense was too much for the Cavaliers as the Tar Heels beat Virginia 13-2.
In the bottom of the fourth Sunday, the Cavaliers took a 4-1 lead when Erin Horn hit a bases-loaded hopper back to the mound. Trying to make the play at home, Carolina pitcher Crystal Cox committed a throwing error, sending the ball to the backstop. Brooke Sorber scored, and Sarah Larquier dove home, just avoiding the tag to score the fourth run.
Carolina tied the game in the fifth inning with a three-run homer. In the top of the seventh, Erin Horn walked in the go-ahead run to put Carolina up for good.
After making two of the games particularly competitive for Carolina, the Cavaliers were disappointed not to get a win.
"I think they're a little down -- they thought they had one today," coach Karen Johns said. "Although it seems gloomy, there's been a lot of progress and we've done some things very well."
Senior Sara Larquier hit the 173rd RBI of her career Saturday, claiming the all-time ACC record, which has stood since 2000. Larquier smashed the record on a two-run home run, also extending her Virginia home run record to 31, a record she had broken last weekend.
"Obviously I started off really slowly, but I just kept with everything I had been doing all season," Larquier said. "I didn't change anything. I just worked through the little kinks, did extra practice and made the necessary adjustments."
With a batting average just below .250, Larquier has raised her average over 20 points in the last month. In her first three years as a Cavalier, she hadn't finished a season below .350.
"She has really focused on her swing," Johns said. "A lot of it is within her control. She's a great player and you knew she'd make the adjustments."
Larquier's name has been mentioned quite a few times this season as she continues to rack up accomplishments and records. This season she was named an All-American, was put on the top-50 player watch list and was drafted to play professional softball.
"She put too much pressure on herself," Johns said. "I see her coming back in to her own and really staying focused."
While Larquier is coming back though, the Cavaliers are unfortunately losing someone else. Junior Amy McKean, who currently leads the Cavaliers with a .378 batting average, seven home runs and 23 RBI, broke her right tibia, taking the biggest bat out of the lineup.
"The doctors say I'll be out at least three to four weeks, but I'll try to get back out there as soon as they let me," McKean said.
With a lineup that is only hitting .238 this season, the Cavalier offense will have to do a lot of work to make up for her loss. Larquier emphasized the need to score the runners already on base, making each hit more efficient.
"She's still right there with us," Larquier said. "We need to pick up right where she left off."
Should McKean return at the beginning of May, she could still play in a few regular season games and the ACC tournament. Johns lamented McKean's loss in the lineup.
"You can't replace" McKean, she said. "We're going to have to execute and hope other people can come through here and there."
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