Feb. 21, 2014
Honolulu, Hawai'i - The San José State University softball team lost a tight 1-0 game to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the second day of the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational, hosted by Hawai'i.
"We knew coming in that this would be a close game and whoever got key hits would win," San José State head coach Peter Turner said. "Both teams had limited opportunities, but we allowed North Carolina to score early when we wanted to be in that position."
The Tar Heels (3-6) scored the game's lone run in the opening frame. With the bases loaded and one out, Kristen Brown sprinted home on Kati Causey's ground ball to shortstop that forced Jenna Kelly at second base for the 1-0 score.
The Spartans' (7-5) best scoring chance came in the fifth inning. Taylor Purdy hit a stand-up double to right field and was lifted for pinch runner Chelsea Jenner. In the next at bat, Casey Watt singled to Brown playing shortstop, who then threw the ball to third baseman Darby Rosen to pick off Jenner who had rounded third base.
"That was our only threat," Turner said. "It was a tough play. The second baseman dove to make the play and Jenner couldn't get to the bag in time."
Starting Spartan pitcher Katelyn Linford (1-2) scattered four hits and one earned run in five innings. She both walked and fanned four batters each. Said Turner, "After the first inning, she settled in nicely. I expect good things out of her as a freshman."
Allison Lang threw two hitless innings in relief, walking one.
Lori Spingola (2-4) earned the complete game win for the Tar Heels, shutting out the Spartans with seven strikeouts and scattering four hits.
Four Spartans got a hit in the game: Purdy's double and singles by Jessie Meyer, Watt and Devin Caldwell.
San José State has now lost its fifth-straight game after opening the season with a seven-game win streak. "Early in the season, we were getting clutch hits," said Turner. "Now, we're struggling both in the circle and at the plate. But we'll keep a perspective and continue trying to figure out good combinations."
San José State continues play at the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational on Saturday, February 22, with a 12:00 p.m. (HT) game against Saint Mary's.
North Carolina 1, San Jose State 0 (Feb 21, 2014 at Honolulu, O`ahu)
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North Carolina...... 100 000 0 - 1 4 0 (3-6)
San Jose State...... 000 000 0 - 0 4 2 (7-5)
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Pitchers: North Carolina - Spingola and Parrish. San Jose State - Linford, Katelyn;
LANG, Allison(6) and Garcia, Jessica; Masutani, Kryn.
Win-Spingola(2-4) Loss-LINFORD, Katelyn(1-2)
LINFORD faced 2 batters in the 6th.