Izmena Cabrera's single in the bottom of the sixth stopped North Carolina's Lisa Norris from pitching a no-hitter, but not before the Tarheels outscored the Cougars 9-1 in both teams' season opener in the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Cabrera advanced to second, before stealing third and scored on an error by Whitney Gelin for Charleston's (0-1) lone run of the game.
North Carolina (1-0) was led by Gelin who hit 3-for-4 and scored one of the Tarheels' nine runs. She batted in two runs.
Norris (1-0) got the win as she held the Cougars to one hit, while striking out nine and walking three.
Shannon Howard (0-1) gave up six hits and four runs for the loss.
The College of Charleston will face East Carolina on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., and North Carolina will host No. 2 Tennessee at 3 p.m.