Duke softball wins thriller against UNC in ACC softball quarterfinals

2-seed Duke defeated UNC 16-8 in what was the highest scoring game in ACC Softball Championship history in the quarterfinals. This was also the first-ever postseason meeting between the programs.

The loss puts the Tar Heels in dire straits as they currently sit on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.

The Blue Devils got into some trouble early after North Carolina loaded the bases at the top of the first. A successful double play by third basemen Tyrina Jones put a quick two outs on the board, but UNC’s Michele Tarpey got a ball to fall to get a run across, putting the Heels up 1-0.

Raegan Jennings brought home the second run with an RBI single to make Duke sweat with an early 2-0 deficit after just half an inning.

“This is a team [Duke] we’ve seen so many times this year come from behind and not bat an eye at big deficits,” analyst Chuckie Kempf said during the game’s broadcast after the top of the first.

Adelyn Matthews brought home the first run of the game for Duke in the second with an RBI single to make it 1-2. Then, with the bases loaded, Jessica Oakland lined a ball to deep center to clear the bags, giving her team a 4-2 lead.

UNC responded in the top of the third with a run, but a SportsCenter caliber catch by outfielder D’Auna Jennings served as the third out of the frame, stopping the bleeding before it could really start.

The Heels followed that up in the fourth, scoring after a wild throw that flew into the outfield to make the score even at four apiece. Things then went from bad to worse when an RBI single gave Carolina a 5-4 lead. Emily LeGette then smoked a ball to deep center for a two-run homer to extend the lead to 7-4.

Things somehow got worse for the ladies from Durham.

UNC’s Shelby Barbee launched a ball over the wall in center to make it 8-4, forcing a Duke pitching change.

The Blue Devil’s starter, Cassidy Curd, lasted 3.2 innings and allowed nine hits and eight runs to go with three strikeouts.

KK Mathis took over on the mound and gave up a double against the first batter she faced before the offensive explosion stopped with a flyout from the next hitter.

During the game, Duke head coach Marissa Young was asked what the message to the team would be while trying to overcome a 4-run deficit.

“Just continue to stay in the fight, take it one pitch at a time, and continue to trust that we’re gonna make things happen,” Young said.

And make things happen, they did.