Covering Carolina sports beyond just men's basketball and football — with the most complete women's basketball coverage
CHAPEL HILL — Solid defense has been one of the keys to No. 15 North Carolina’s success, with the run-saving efforts and incredible range of the outfielders justifiably getting plenty of attention. The Tar Heels’ infield also has plenty of range, and it has contributed just as much to their wins.
After an easy Saturday victory over N.C. State to salvage a game from the three-game road weekend series, North Carolina became the first team to clinch a spot in the ACC tournament but slipped four spots to No. 15 in the D1 Baseball Top 25 poll released Monday after a 1–3 week.
RALEIGH — After three consecutive one-run losses, No. 11 North Carolina wasn’t leaving anything to chance, particularly Vance Honeycutt and Colby Wilkerson. The Tar Heels backed outstanding starting and relief pitching with plenty of offense, rolling to a 14–3 victory Saturday at Doak Field to salvage a game from the three-game weekend series and clinch their third straight 30-win season as Honeycutt made more history.
RALEIGH — The only positive, but a great source of frustration, in No. 11 North Carolina’s first three-game losing streak is that all three were one-run games that could have gone either way. The Tar Heels bullpen blew a three-run lead built off an impressive start from junior left-hander Shea Sprague as N.C. State clinched a series win with a 5–4 victory Friday at Doak Field.
RALEIGH — On a night of home run derby, N.C. State didn’t hit as many, but the Wolfpack hit the biggest. Shortstop Brandon Butterworth blasted a 95-mph fastball over the left-field wall for a game-ending solo homer with one out in the ninth inning to lift the Wolfpack to a 9–8 victory Thursday over No. 11 North Carolina at Doak Field.
CHAPEL HILL — It had been 350 days since North Carolina had lost a game at Boshamer Stadium, and the No. 11 Tar Heels nearly extended their school-record home win streak on a night that Vance Honeycutt made more history. UNC loaded the bases with two outs in a dramatic ninth inning, but No. 19 Coastal Carolina held on a tough 5–4 Tar Heels loss Tuesday to end their school-record 27-game home win streak, despite getting outstanding relief pitching.
After North Carolina’s weekend sweep of Notre Dame for its school-record 27th consecutive home victory, the Tar Heels moved up two spots to No. 11 in the latest D1 Baseball Top 25 poll.
CHAPEL HILL — Program history came easily as No. 13 North Carolina finished a dominant three-game sweep of Notre Dame with more outstanding pitching and relentless offense.
CHAPEL HILL — No. 13 North Carolina can make a powerful argument for being one of the country’s most talented home-run-hitting teams. Designated hitter Alberto Osuna and center fielder Vance Honeycutt had target practice on the top of the left-field scoreboard, which is 40 feet high. Osuna hit the upper-left part of it for one homer, and Honeycutt blasted a homer over the scoreboard for two of UNC’s three homers.
CHAPEL HILL — Starting in his first ACC series opener, freshman Jason DeCaro pitched like the ace he has become. The crafty 6–5 right-hander doesn’t turn 18 until Wednesday, but he threw six shutout innings and pitched well beyond his years. He got more than enough offensive support as No. 13 UNC rolled to a 13–0 victory over Notre Dame on Friday.
tarheeltribune.com 