KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12-seeded UT fell in Game 6 of the NCAA Knoxville Regional, 1-0, to North Carolina, forcing a deciding Game 7 on Sunday afternoon.
Freshman pitcher Ashley Rogers was charged with the loss after allowing just one run on two hits in the complete-game performance. She threw eight strikeouts in the outing.
Brittany Pickett earned the win for the Heels as she threw 7.0 shutout frames, also allowing two hits.
In the pitcher’s duel, the lone run of the game, a homer to right field, came in the sixth inning off the bat of UNC’s Kristina Burkhardt.
Prior to the sixth, the Tarheels had one runner move into scoring position using a UT fielding error and stolen base.
Tennessee had threatened with runners on third in the sixth and seventh innings, but both frames ended in strikeouts.
In the sixth, Aubrey Leach laid down a bunt single and then stole her 19thbase of the season before moving to third on Chelsea Seggern’s flyout to right, however, the third out was recorded in the next at-bat.
Attempting a rally in the final frame, Haley Bearden led off with a single to the pitcher and advanced to second on Kaili Phillips’ sacrifice bunt. Cailin Hannon then ground out to first, allowing Bearden to reach third before Ashley Morgan was hit by a pitch. The rally was cut short as a swinging strikeout ended the game.
The final matchup of the Knoxville Regional is underway at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The winner will advance to the NCAA Super Regional in Gainesville, Fla., to face the No. 5-seeded Florida Gators.
-UT Athletics
