The Virginia softball team dropped all three games against North Carolina this weekend in Chapel Hill, losing 5-1 and 2-1 in a doubleheader Saturday and again 2-1 Sunday. The Cavaliers are now 1-8 against the Tar Heels in the past three seasons.
The Cavaliers (16-19, 3-9 ACC) struck first Saturday off a first inning RBI single by sophomore second baseman Megan Harris. North Carolina (31-13, 9-3 ACC) responded by scoring in the second and adding two more runs in the third to take control. Senior starter Melanie Mitchell allowed eight hits and four earned runs while striking out seven in a complete game loss.
Virginia again jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead in the second game of the doubleheader, but the Tar Heels responded in the second. After senior shortstop Alex Skinkis’ RBI double put the Cavaliers ahead, the Tar Heels tied it in the second and notched the go-ahead run in the seventh off of a Cavalier error. Freshman pitcher Aimee Chapdelaine (4-7) had another strong outing, surrendering just one earned run off nine hits in 6.2 innings.
Sunday, North Carolina took control early and never looked back. The Tar Heels put up two runs in the first for all the offense they would need in another one-run victory. Senior catcher Kristen Hawkins hit a solo home run in the fifth for Virginia to cut the deficit in half, but the Cavaliers could not draw even. Mitchell fanned six batters and allowed two earned runs on four hits in her second complete game of the series.
The team returns to action Wednesday with a doubleheader at home against Delaware State.