March 29, 2013
Hokies fall to Tar Heels in series opener
Two teams wrap up series Saturday
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(24) Virginia Tech (18-7) 0010100241
North Carolina (24-12) 000210X362
  • Anderson Stadium - 727

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (hokiesports.com) - Haleigh Dickey’s solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning broke a tie ballgame as the University of North Carolina rallied to beat 24th-ranked Virginia Tech 3-2 in the series opener Friday night at Anderson Stadium.

The loss overshadowed a record night for Amanda Ake, who tied the school record with two home runs and also drew a walk.

Tech scored first, plating a run in the third inning on Ake’s leadoff home run to right-center field, but the Tar Heels took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run home run by Jenna Kelly. Ake tied it up in the fifth with a mammoth shot to left, but Dickey’s two-out, two strike solo home run won it for the Tar Heels.

The Hokies picked up just four hits off Lori Spingola, two by Ake. Kylie McGoldrick and Logan Spaw had the other hits for Tech.

Kelly Heinz (L, 9-2) went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Jasmin Harrell pitched the last inning, striking out two and giving up a hit.

Spingola, the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year, struck out six and walked three.

Both of Ake’s home runs were leadoff knocks while both of UNC’s came with two outs and two strikes on the batter.

Tech, now on a four-game skid, is sitting at 18-7 overall, 0-3 in the ACC while UNC is 24-12, 5-2 in the conference.

The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Softball).

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