Last Week's Results: NC State-Postponed, def. Elon 5-4, lost series at Virginia 2-3, 1-3, 4-2
Record This Week: 2-2
Record This Season: 23-17, 10-11 ACC
This Week's Schedule: 4/22 at ECU, 4/23 vs Liberty, 4/25-4/27 vs Virginia Tech
The much hyped game between UNC and NC State which was scheduled to take place this past week on 4/15 never came to fruition. Heavy rain in the area led to the postponement of the game. No makeup data has yet been scheduled. The available dates that sync up with the respective schedules of both teams and the availability of the Durham Bulls Athletic Park are scarce. It remains to be seen if the game will ever actually happen.
UNC returned to action the next night needing three runs in the bottom of the ninth to pull out a 5-4 win vs Elon. The Heels got some help from two Phoenix errors in the inning. Landon Lassiter singled to bring in Michael Russell with the game winning run.
Over the weekend, UNC went to Charlottesville to face #1 ranked Virginia. The Cavaliers took two of three from the Tar Heels. Trent Thornton took just his second loss of the season with the big blow coming on a two run home run by the Cavaliers' Brandon Downes. UNC tied the game at 2-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth but UVa answered with what turned out to be the game winning run in the bottom of the frame.
Benton Moss pitched well in the second game of the series only giving up three runs in 7.2 innings. However, the Heels were effectively handcuffed by the Cavalier pitching. Three Virginia pitchers scattered ten Tar Heel hits and gave up just one run in the 3-1 win to clinch the series.
On Sunday, UNC salvaged avoided the sweep riding a solid outing from Zac Gallen to a 4-2 win. Michael Russell's two run home run in the fifth to stake a 3-1 lead. Gallen pitched 5.1 innings giving up just two runs on six hits. Reilly Hovis game in from the bullpen to go 3.2 innings for the long save.
UNC's postseason possibilities continue to be somewhat precarious though there has been some improvement in the RPI situation. For the ACC Tournament, the Heels are currently 8th overall and would make the ten team event. On the RPI front, UNC has jumped from languishing in the mid-80s to 47th in this projection. The nature of UNC's schedule down the stretch is going to help the RPI. UNC has both FSU and Miami yet to play along with facing Virginia Tech(105th) this weekend. UNC has a road game at ECU(73rd) and a home data with Liberty(20th) before facing the Hokies. A 5-0 week would probably do wonders to stabilize matters or at least winning the midweek games and taking the series against the Hokies.