Thursday was the start of college softball season, as schools across the nation began their quest to try and deny Oklahoma a 4-peat in the Women’s College World Series.
In Chapel Hill, the UNC softball team will try and get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Not only are the Tar Heels playing their first season in 39 years without legendary coach Donna J. Papa, who retired in the offseason, but they’ll try for their first winning record since the year before COVID.
North Carolina will be tested early on, as it heads to Rock Hill, S.C. for the Winthrop Tournament. The Tar Heels kick off gameplay on Friday, Feb 9 at 12 p.m. ET, playing a fellow in-state opponent in North Carolina A&T, then turn around to play host Winthrop at 5 p.m. ET.
🚨 SCHEDULE UPDATE 🚨
Opening day just got a little closer đź‘€
Due to forecasted weather, we will now be playing on Friday and Saturday at Winthrop! Our first game is Friday at 12 pm vs. NC A&T 🥎
🗓️: https://t.co/yKOGZ3Q8fb#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/UQMFWuJ7r2
— Carolina Softball (@UNCSoftball) February 7, 2024
UNC carries a fairly experienced roster, with five seniors and four graduate players.
The Tar Heels look to be led offensively by graduate infielder Abby Settlemyre, who led her 2023 teammates in RBIs (35) while finishing second in batting average (.351) and home runs (nine). Kenna Raye Dark, a 2-time NCHSAA 3A state champion at Eastern Alamance High School, will lead North Carolina inside the circle.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.