After a series win over Georgia Tech on the road in Atlanta, the Diamond Heels have moved up one spot in the rankings to #10 and are leading the Coastal Division.
Here is a look at the results from the past week in UNC baseball:
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Record |
3-18-17 |
at Georgia Tech |
L 2-4 (12) |
14-5 |
3-19-17 |
at Georgia Tech |
W 7-4 |
15-5 |
3-22-17 |
at East Carolina |
W 6-2 |
16-5 |
3-24-17 |
vs. Miami |
W 7-2 |
17-5 |
In the series opener against Georgia Tech, the Heels received a strong performance from pitcher J.B. Bukauskas as he struck out 14 batters in seven innings of work. After the top of the sixth, the Heels were up 4-2, but a productive bottom half of the inning by the Yellow Jackets and two solo shots tied the score at four. The Heels scored runs in the seventh and ninth to push their lead to 6-4. Josh Hiatt earned his sixth save on the season in dramatic fashion as he struck out the last batter with two men on.
In the next game, the Heels tied it at two in the top of the sixth and another run would not be scored until the bottom of the 12th when Georgia Tech knocked a two-run walk-off homer to end the game. In eight innings of work, Luca Dalatri struck out seven, allowing one earned run and five hits.
In the last game of the series, the Yellow Jackets jumped out to an early four run lead heading into the fifth. Freshman starter Jay Shadday held the Heels scoreless in five innings of work with eight strikeouts and just two hits allowed. UNC relief pitcher Brett Daniels put in some excellent work by striking out nine and keeping the Yellow Jackets scoreless on just two hits.
The Tar Heel bats came alive during the sixth, starting with shortstop Logan Warmoth hitting a triple and then designated hitter Ashton McGee hit a two-run shot to get the Heels on the board. A combination of small ball and Georgia Tech errors in the eight put UNC ahead. Two more runs in the ninth pushed the Carolina lead to three and Josh Hiatt came in to earn his seventh save of the season.
On Wednesday, the Heels traveled to Greenville to take on East Carolina. A four-run fourth was enough to put UNC ahead for the rest of the game. Right fielder Brandon Riley had four RBI and Rodney Hutchinson earned the victory in relief for the Heels.
As of the ECU game, Logan Warmoth is still leading the Heels with a .358 batting average. He and left fielder Tyler Lynn lead UNC with four homers. Right fielder Brandon Riley’s performance against ECU pushed him ahead in the RBI category, leading the team with 17.
J.B. Bukauskas is still leading the way for the pitching staff. The starter has a 3-0 record on the year with a 1.09 ERA. His 51 strikeouts this season are tops in the ACC. Reliever Josh Hiatt leads the ACC with eight saves on the year.
Here is a look at the upcoming schedule this week:
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
3-25-17 |
4:00 PM |
vs. Miami |
3-26-17 |
12:00 PM |
vs. Miami |
3-28-17 |
6:00 PM |
vs. Coastal Carolina |
3-31-17 |
6:00 PM |
at Florida State |
4-1-17 |
6:00 PM |
at Florida State |
4-2-17 |
12:30 PM |
at Florida State |