Multiple UNC players face one-game suspensions after incident in Gardner-Webb game

By R.L. Bynum

An incident in the seventh inning of Carolina’s 5–4 victory Tuesday over Gardner-Webb has led to the NCAA suspending multiple Tar Heels players for one game over the next five games.

“We look forward to having them back, and our team is focused on finishing out the regular season strong,” read a UNC statement.

After Bulldogs reliever Grant Vega struck out UNC second baseman Jackson Van De Brake for the final out of the seventh inning, Vega yelled at Van De Brake (top photo), appearing to tell Van De Brake, “f*** you,” as he headed to the dugout.

Van De Brake reacted emotionally, stepped toward and yelled at Vega, but UNC first base coach Jason Howell and plate umpire Tony Carilli held him back as the dugouts and bullpens cleared. UNC coach Scott Forbes and Gardner-Webb coach Jim Chester also exchanged heated words.

Since Vega was ejected from the game, he was automatically suspended four games.

Van De Brake will obviously be one of the suspended players, but he was in the starting lineup for Thursday’s opener of a three-game home series over N.C. State. Carolina isn’t revealing the number of players suspended or which players are suspended.

After the Wolfpack series, UNC plays at Coastal Carolina on Tuesday and at Clemson next weekend.

Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications

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