By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — No. 3 North Carolina has turned its biggest test of the season into a powerful statement to the college baseball world.
The Tar Heels belted three home runs in consecutive games for the first time this season. They again made big pitches on their way to a 14–4 eight-inning run-rule victory over No. 2 Georgia Tech on a steamy afternoon at Boshamer Stadium for their fifth consecutive victory.
“Obviously, it’s a great statement,” UNC coach Scott Forbes said. “But I told our guys one of two things happens when you win a big series like this. You’re content with it, or you’re buying into what we talk about every day. When you wake up [Sunday], don’t let the outcome be a distraction. We’ve got to try to play our best game [Sunday].”
UNC (33–6–1, 15–5 ACC) has won five consecutive league series since losing two of three to Virginia in early March.
Georgia Tech (31–7, 15–5) has lost back-to-back games for only the second time this season after winning its previous 13. A team that came into the series averaging 11.3 runs per game has scored six in two games, stifled by Carolina’s pitching.
The winner of Sunday’s finale will emerge from the weekend alone atop the ACC standings.
UNC center fielder Owen Hull (top photo) remained white-hot and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. He went 2 for 3 with a grand slam and six RBI for his team-leading 18th multi-hit game and 10th multi-RBI game, second on the team.
Hull said the approach is simple, and it travels through the order.
“Everybody’s taking it one at-bat at a time,” Hull said. “One through nine, everybody did it today, and our pitchers showed as well.”
Sophomore right-hander Ryan Lynch (3–3) battled for 4⅔ innings, repeatedly pitching out of trouble, giving up seven hits, two walks and three runs with two strikeouts.
He knew all about the Yellow Jackets’ offensive exploits, but wasn’t too concerned about that.
“We follow baseball, but we really just didn’t care at all,” Lynch said. “We knew we’re a really good staff, and if we pitch the way we want to, then we’ll shut them down.”
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Forbes said that Lynch set the tone early, even as the right-hander had to grind through traffic.
“I thought Lynch set the tone,” Forbes said after Lynch had only walked two batters. “It’s a really potent offense, and I thought he reached back when he needed to and grabbed more velocity, which you have to do against a team like Georgia Tech. I thought the movement on the slider was much better as well.”
Lynch said the breaking ball was a point of emphasis after recent outings.
“The slider has been on and off for a while, just trying to get it back,” he said. “Today, I felt a lot better, and I was actually able to use it a lot more.”
Sophomore right-handed reliever Walker McDuffie again came up with a big performance. After saving Friday’s win with a one-two-three ninth inning, he gave up only one hit and one run, with four walks and three strikeouts in three innings. Senior right-hander Matthew Matthijs got the final out in the eighth inning.
“I thought McDuffie came in a really big spot and got us back in the dugout with the strikeout of [Alex] Hernandez,” Forbes said. “You don’t want to give them any life, and McDuffie did a good job. Matt came in and made some big pitches. Good to see his velocity ticking up, 92, 93 [mph].”
Carolina pitching continues to confound two Georgia Tech stars expected to be picked in the top 10 of the MLB draft. Center fielder Drew Burress is 1-for-8 and catcher Vahn Lackey is 0-for-8 in the series.
“The game plan was establishing the fastball early,” Lynch said. “Coach told us we were going to compete fastball-heavy, and I just kept throwing them.”
Fireballing Georgia Tech starter Porter Buursema (2 innings, 3 hits, 7 earned runs, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts) threw fastballs consistently in the high 90s but had trouble getting the ball over the plate. UNC drew 12 walks, and Forbes pointed to that patience as the foundation for the early surge.
“We talked about taking what the pitcher gives you and controlling the strike zone,” Forbes said. “When you get 12 free passes, you have a good chance to score big runs, and that’s what we did today.”
In UNC’s three-run first inning, the first three batters reached. Hull singled in the first run, and a very high wild pitch scored Gavin Gallaher, who had singled. Hull scored on Erik Paulsen’s groundout.
Hull made Buursema pay for loading the bases with three walks in the second inning. With two outs, Hull launched a 417-foot shot to right-center for a grand slam.
“It felt smooth as butter,” Hull said. “I got a pitch, a home-run pitch, and I took a swing, and it went.”
Forbes called it the swing that broke the game open, while still cautioning against letting the moment become the story for a club that expects Georgia Tech to keep swinging.
“Obviously, the dagger for us was Owen Hull’s grand slam,” Forbes said. “But with that team early, our guys know it’s just like against us, they’re not going to quit.”
After double plays got Lynch out of two-on, one-out jams in the second and third innings, Tech first baseman Kent Schmidt belted a solo homer to deep center field with two outs in the fourth inning. Lynch responded by retiring the next hitter to keep the damage to one.
“That’s something I’ve not done very well this season,” Lynch said, “but I knew that wasn’t a very impactful homer. Being able to step up and get the next guy was a lot better today.”
UNC quickly responded with Hull’s sacrifice fly to left field and Macon Winslow’s two-run homer to deep center field.
Lynch appeared to have escaped a bases-loaded, fifth-inning jam on another inning-ending double play.
The out call at first base was overturned on review, though, to bring in a run, and Jarren Advincula followed with an RBI single down the right-field line to end Lynch’s day. McDuffie came on, and Alex Hernandez struck out looking to leave two baserunners stranded.
The first four Jackets reached off McDuffie in the sixth inning, with one run scoring on a wild pitch before another inning-ending double play stranded two more runners. Forbes said those quick turnarounds were essential against an offense built to pile on.
“You’ve got to turn those against teams like that,” Forbes said. “When they give you a double play, you have to take it, because the next guy can leave the yard.”
Cooper Nicholson made it 11-4 on a solo home run with one out in the seventh inning.
Carolina added three more runs in the eighth to finish off the win on Tyler Howe’s two-run double down the right-field line and Carter French’s bases-loaded walk, which ended the game.
Forbes liked the way UNC kept its routine tight to stay fresh in the heat.
“We didn’t take BP on the field today,” Forbes said. “We ate breakfast a little bit later, hit in the cages, just to keep our players fresh. My job is to remind them there are no options as far as being ready to play.”
Notes
— In Sunday’s 1 p.m. series finale (ACC Network), Georgia Tech sophomore right-hander Jackson Blakely (5–1, 2.34 ERA) opposes UNC junior left-hander Folger Boaz (3–0, 6.10 ERA).
— The last time UNC hit three home runs in consecutive games was in the NCAA tournament last season against Oklahoma on June 2 and against Arizona on June 6.
— It was Carolina’s 10th run-rule win of the seaosn but first since an 11-1 victory over Louisville on March 20.
— Georgia Tech also lost back-to-back games in mid-March, losing 13–7 to Clemson and 9–2 to Auburn.
— Hull’s grand slam was the second by UNC this season after Jadyn Nunez hit one on March 1 against Le Moyne.
— Carolina designated hitter Lee Sowers batted eighth in his first start of the season, drawing a walk.
— UNC has won six in a row against Georgia Tech, but still trails the all-time series 83–78.
— Carolina honored 15 members of the 2006 UNC College World Series team before the game, and Jonathan Hovis threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
No. 3 UNC 14, No. 2 Ga. Tech 4 (8)
ACC standings
| League | GB | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 3 North Carolina | 15–5 | — | 33–6–1 |
| No. 2 Georgia Tech | 15–5 | — | 31–7 |
| No. 24 Boston College | 13–7 | 2 | 30–12 |
| No. 8 Florida State | 10–6 | 3 | 26–11 |
| No. 9 Virginia | 12–9 | 3½ | 28–13 |
| Miami | 9–7 | 4 | 28–10 |
| Wake Forest | 10–9 | 4½ | 26–13 |
| N.C. State | 8–8 | 5 | 25–13 |
| Virginia Tech | 8–11 | 6½ | 18–18 |
| Duke | 8–12 | 7 | 22–19 |
| Pittsburgh | 6–10 | 7 | 23–13 |
| Louisville | 6–10 | 7 | 21–17 |
| Stanford | 6–10 | 7 | 16–18 |
| Notre Dame | 7–12 | 7½ | 17–16 |
| Clemson | 6–12 | 8 | 25–16 |
| California | 5–11 | 9 | 19–17 |
Thursday-Saturday series
Clemson at No. 9 Virginia — Thursday: Virginia 6–4; Friday: Clemson 5–1; Saturday: Virginia 5-4
Friday-Sunday series
No. 2 Georgia Tech at No. 3 North Carolina — Friday: UNC 5–2; Saturday: UNC 14–4 (8); Sunday 1 p.m. (ACCN)
Duke at No. 24 Boston College — Friday: BC 11–1 (7); Saturday: BC 4–2; 5 p.m. Saturday
Notre Dame at No. 8 Florida State — Friday: FSU 11–0 (7); Saturday: FSU 9–7, 2 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.
Miami at Stanford — Friday: Miami 6–3; Saturday, 5:05 p.m.; Sunday 4 p.m.
N.C. State at Wake Forest — Friday: WF 22–1 (7); Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech — Friday: VT 11–6; Saturday, 6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.
Louisville at California — Friday: Cal 8–5; Saturday, 5:05 p.m.; Sunday 4:05 p.m.
Tuesday’s games
Virginia Tech at VCU, 3 p.m.
Maine at No. 24 Boston College, 3 p.m.
High Point at No. 3 North Carolina, 6 p.m.
Kentucky at Louisville, 6 p.m.
No. 8 Florida State at North Florida, 6 p.m.
Duke at Liberty, 6 p.m.
UNCG at Wake Forest, 6 p.m.
No. 2 Georgia Tech vs. No. 5 Georgia at Truist Park, 6 p.m.
Pittsburgh at No. 15 West Virginia, 6:30
USC Upstate at Clemson, 7 p.m.
Stanford at Santa Clara, 9 p.m.
San Francisco at California, 9:05
Wednesday’s games
Liberty at No. 9 Virginia, 6 p.m.
Notre Dame at Michigan State, 6 p.m.
Miami at Florida Atlantic, 6:30
Thursday-Saturday series
No. 3 North Carolina at Duke — Thursday: 6 p.m. (ACCN); Friday: 6 p.m.; Saturday: 3 p.m.
Friday-Saturday series
Wake Forest at No. 2 Georgia Tech — Friday: 7 p.m.; Saturday: noon (ACCN); Sunday: 1 p.m.
No. 24 Boston College at Notre Dame — Friday: 6:30; Saturday: 2 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m.
No. 9 Virginia at Pittsburgh — Friday: 6 p.m.; Saturday: 3 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m.
N.C. State at Virginia Tech — Friday: 6 p.m.; Saturday: 3 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m.
Clemson at Louisville — Friday: 6 p.m.; Saturday: 7 p.m. (ACCN); Sunday: 2 p.m. (ACCN)
California at Miami — Friday: 7 p.m.; Saturday: 6 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m.
No. 8 Florida State at Stanford — Friday: 9 p.m.; Saturday: 5 p.m.; Sunday: 4 p.m.
| Date(s) | Day/ month | Times/ scores | Opponent (current rank) | Record/ TV * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | ||||
| 13–14 | Fri., Sat. | W, 9–4; W, 12–2 (7); W, 4–3 (11) | vs. Indiana | 3–0 |
| 17 | Tuesday | W, 10–0 (7) | vs. Richmond | 4–0 |
| 18 | Wednesday | W, 5–3 | vs. Longwood | 5–0 |
| 20–22 | Fri.-Sun | W, 10–0 (8); L, 10–3; T, 3–3 | vs. East Carolina | 6–1–1 |
| 24 | Tuesday | W, 9–1 | vs. N.C. A&T | 7–1–1 |
| 25 | Wednesday | W, 13–3 (7) | vs. VCU | 8–1–1 |
| 27–28 | Fri., Sat. | W, 16–3 (7); W, 12–2 (7) | vs. Le Moyne | 10–1–1 |
| March | ||||
| 1 | Sunday | W, 21–1 (7) | vs. Le Moyne | 11–1–1 |
| 3 | Tuesday | W, 5–1 | vs. Elon | 12–1–1 |
| 6–7 | Fri., Sat | L, 13–3 (7); L, 9–2; W, 8–7 (12) | vs. No. 10 Virginia | 13–3–1, 1–2 ACC |
| 10 | Tuesday | W, 13–3 (7) | vs. Bucknell | 14–3–1 |
| 13–15 | Fri.-Sun. | W, 8–1; W, 6–2; W, 10–2 | at California | 17–3–1, 4–2 |
| 18 | Wednesday | W, 8–2 | vs. UNCG | 18–3–1 |
| 20–22 | Fri.–Sun. | W, 11–1 (8); L, 2–0; W, 7–6 | vs. Louisville | 20–4–1, 6–3 |
| 24 | Tuesday | W, 9–1 | vs. South Carolina in Charlotte | 21–4–1 |
| 28, 29 | Sat., Sun | W, 6–5; W, 13–7; W, 15–10 | at Notre Dame | 24–4–1, 9–3 |
| 31 | Tuesday | W, 5–4 (14) | vs. Campbell | 25–4–1 |
| April | ||||
| 2–4 | Thur.-Sat. | L, 6–1, W, 5–2, W, 8–7 | vs. No. 24 Boston College | 27–5–1, 11–4 |
| 7 | Tuesday | W, 8–4 | vs. Charlotte | 28–5–1 |
| 10–12 | Fri.–Sun. | L, 9–5, W, 6–4 (14), W, 12–5 | at Clemson | 30–6–1, 13–5 |
| 14 | Tuesday | W, 14–5 | vs. UNCW | 31–6–1 |
| 17 | Friday | W, 5–2 | vs. No. 2 Georgia Tech | 32–6–1, 14–5 |
| 18, 19 | Sat., Sun. | noon, 1 | vs. No. 2 Georgia Tech | ACCN |
| 21 | Tuesday | 6 p.m. | vs. High Point | |
| 23–25 | Thu.-Sat. | 7, 6, 3 | at Duke | Thurs. ACCN |
| 28 | Tuesday | 7 p.m. | vs. No. 7 Coastal Carolina | ACCN |
| 29 | Wednesday | 6 p.m. | vs. Queens | |
| May | ||||
| 3 | Sunday | 2 p.m. (non-conference game) | vs. Duke | ACCN |
| 6 | Wednesday | 6 p.m. | vs. Winthrop | |
| 8–10 | Fri.-Sun. | 6, noon, 1 | vs. Pittsburgh | |
| 12 | Tuesday | 6 p.m. | at UNCW | |
| 14–16 | Thurs.-Sat. | 7, 6, 1 | at N.C. State | Thurs. ACCN |
| 19–24 | Tues.-Sun. | ACC tournament | Charlotte | ACCN (final ESPN2) |
| 29–31 | Fri.-Sun. | NCAA Regionals | Campus sites | |
| June | ||||
| 5–7 | Fri.-Sun. | NCAA Super Regionals | Campus sites | |
| 12–22 | Fri.-Mon | College World Series | Omaha, Neb. |
- Games not on TV stream on ACC Network Extra unless otherwise note.
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics
