Not really UNC's year against Florida State.
For the third time in four games this season against the Seminoles, UNC gave up seven or more runs while scratching out two or fewer on the way to a 7-1 loss in the first game of ACC Tournament pool play.
Taylore Cherry got the start and held it together until fourth when FSU broke a 1-0 game open with four runs. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels could do very little at the plate versus Billy Strode. The Seminole pitcher went six innings giving up just four hits and striking out five. FSU was helped in part by three double plays which snuffed out potential Tar Heel rallies before they can get any traction. The Heels did plate a run in the seventh to break up the shutout but that was the extent of UNC's offensive production.
In addition to the loss, shortstop Michael Russell left the game in the fourth with a sore back. Russell is the Tar Heels' best hitter and his loss in the remaining two games of pool play could prove problematic.
Speaking of those two games, UNC is still in need of wins to bolster the Tar Heels' NCAA resume. The Heels will send Benton Moss to the mound versus Virginia on Friday and Zac Gallen is set to face Maryland on Saturday. Both Maryland and Virginia are top 30 RPI teams so a win against either will help and a win versus both would be ideal.