UNC Baseball weekly recap: April 10-15
The Diamond Heels have come away with a 2-2 record for the third straight week, but this time, it didn't come with a series win.
After losing to Miami on Saturday, their streak of three straight ACC series wins came to a close, dropping a close game, 3-4. Each match up between UNC and the Hurricanes were decided within one run, with game two coming to a wild finish. The Tar Heels just didn't make enough plays for a better outcome to end the week. Here's a recap of all UNC baseball action from its last four games.
April 11 vs. Queens
The Diamond Heels took care of business on Tuesday, downing Queens 10-6.
UNC put the game away early, jumping out to a 10-0 lead going into the sixth inning. Queens tried to rally back at the end, scoring six runs in their final four at-bats, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Junior infielder Patrick Alvarez had the best day at the plate, knocking in a home run and four RBIs in four at-bats.
Eleven pitchers took the mound for UNC, throwing a total of nine strikeouts and walking six batters.
April 13-15 vs. Miami
The first game between the Diamond Heels and the Hurricanes, like the others, came down to the final inning. With the game tied 4-4 at the top of the ninth, Miami ripped off three successful at-bats, put two runners on base and brought in the game-winning run. UNC had the chance to tie or reclaim the lead in their next at-bat, but a strikeout, pop up and fly-out ended the night, 5-4.
In game two, UNC started flat, facing a 6-0 deficit going into the bottom of the third. After a double by junior infielder Colby Wilkerson brought in the Diamond Heels' first run, UNC started to slowly climb back with quick defensive innings and productive at-bats.
The top blew open in the bottom of the sixth. With the help of four hits, UNC put up four runs in the inning to take a 7-6 lead. Miami tied the game once again in the seventh before rain forced the rest of the game to be postponed at the top of the eighth and moved to Saturday. Even on a new day, the intensity continued. The game remained tied through the ninth, going to extra innings. With both teams knotted at eight runs in the bottom of the 11th and with UNC facing two outs, junior first baseman Hunter Stokely secured the win on a walk-off homer to right field. The Diamond Heels took the second game, 9-8.
An hour later, the Tar Heels found themselves in yet another nail-biter against the Hurricanes. Facing a 4-1 deficit in the bottom of the sixth, UNC climbed back after a two out single from junior catcher Tomas Frick brought in two runs. The score remained 4-3 down to the Diamond Heels' last attempt at the plate in the ninth. After two quick outs, Max Riemer came in to pinch hit for Johnny Castagnozzi in a last-chance try to even the score, but he fouled out to third base to end the game.
UNC will be back home on Tuesday against Charlotte at 6 p.m.