Softball Hosts No. 15 Duke For Three-Game Series – UNC Athletics

The North Carolina Tar Heels softball team will host No. 15 Duke for a three-game series beginning Friday at Anderson Stadium.

The contest marks the first ACC series for the Tar Heels (18-15, 5-5 ACC) this season. UNC is coming off an impressive showing at the Louisville Classic, where it went 5-1. The Tar Heels were led by Kiana Sherlund and Madeline “Maddy” McCarty, who each registered four RBIs in the tournament.

The Blue Devils (25-7, 6-3 ACC) are coming off a midweek split against North Carolina A&T. The team has proven to be a formidable challenge for any opponent this season, as it has posted an impressive .821 winning percentage.

UNC will look to its pitchers to contain the Blue Devils’ offense. Senior Lori Spingola is having a career year, boasting a 9-7 record with a 2.53 ERA. She’ll be backed up by freshman Savannah Gipson, who has gone 4-4 with a 2.06 ERA in her debut season.

The Tar Heels are also hoping for strong performances from their offense, which has been top-notch this year. Senior Ashton Payne is leading the way, with a .367 batting average and seven home runs. She is joined by freshman Lexi Godwin, who has recorded a team-high eight home runs with a .288 batting average.

The first game of the series will begin Friday at 6 p.m. The series will conclude on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

This weekend, the North Carolina Tar Heels softball team will host No. 15 Duke in a three-game series at Anderson Stadium. The series marks the Tar Heels’ (18-15, 5-5 ACC) initial ACC matchup of the season, following a successful 5-1 showing at the Louisville Classic, which was highlighted by four RBI performances from Kiana Sherlund and Madeline “Maddy” McCarty.

The Blue Devils (25-7, 6-3 ACC) come into the series off a midweek split against North Carolina A&T, and have registered an impressive .821 winning percentage thus far.

In order to contain the Blue Devils’ offense, the Tar Heels will rely on veteran pitcher Lori Spingola, who is enjoying a career year with a 9-7 record and a 2.53 ERA. She will be complemented by freshman Savannah Gipson, who has gone 4-4 with a 2.06 ERA in her debut season.

UNC will also need to rely on their offense, which has been exemplary this year. Leading the charge is senior Ashton Payne, who boasts a .367 batting average and seven home runs. Joining her is freshman Lexi Godwin, who is responsible for a team-high eight home runs and a .288 batting average.

The series will commence on Friday at 6 p.m., concluding with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.