Charlotte Prepares to Tackle No. 15 North Carolina Wednesday
April 8, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. - Taking on their third nationally-ranked opponent thus far this season, the Charlotte 49ers (22-19; A-10: 5-3) square off with No. 15 North Carolina (36-7-1; ACC: 10-1) in doubleheader action Wednesday at the D.L. Phillips Softball Complex at 4 p.m. The 49ers have won 12 of their last 17 games, going 4-0 last week in doubleheaders against USC Upstate and conference-foe St. Bonaventure.
Charlotte is led offensively by junior catcher Jaime West, who ranks second in the conference with 30 RBI, and sophomore outfielder Serena Smith, who leads the Atlantic 10 in hits (46) and comes in third in RBI (29). Joining them is junior second baseman Sarah Malene (32 runs, 14 RBI, 46 hits) and outfielder Whitney Williams, who has collected 10 RBI on the season and was named Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week Monday after averaging .429 for the 4-0 week, collecting two hits and one RBI. The freshman notched the game-winning RBI in the late game of the 49ers' doubleheader sweep of St. Bonaventure Sunday, allowing Charlotte to take the 6-4 win off a single to centerfield.
On the mound, the 49ers continue to rely on the tandem of newcomers freshman Katy Hackett and sophomore transfer Emily Jeffery. Hackett is currently ranked fifth in the A-10 in ERA (2.30) and second in strikeouts (116) and wins (11).
Charlotte is 6-42 all-time against North Carolina, who has won 21 of its last 23 games. The 49ers' last win came February 25, 2004 when they shutout the Tar Heels behind the pitching of then-freshman and current student volunteer assistant Christy Murray, who gave up just three hits.
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Charlotte is 0-2 so far this season against ranked opponents after taking on No. 18 Virginia Tech at the Green and White Classic in early February, falling 2-0, before squaring off against No. 4 Tennessee, taking the 8-4 loss at the NFCA Lead Off Classic later in the month.
