UNC Baseball: Diamond Heels Recap - Week 5

#14 North Carolina rolled into the Eddie Pellagrini Diamond to take on #21 Boston College in a Friday-Sunday series. The Diamond Heels took the series, 2-1, with both teams dominating a win before a tense series decider on Sunday afternoon.

Game 1

The Diamond Heels quickly shook off the disappointment of a mid-week loss to Liberty University last Tuesday and dominated the Eagles 9-3 on the back of another terrific outing from ace pitcher Austin Love. The starter threw seven innings, striking out eight while only giving up two hits and one run, and improved his season record to 4-0.

Danny Serretti was the hero on offense, driving in five runs, including a three-run blast in the first inning to establish UNC’s lead, one that would never be surrendered. BC starter Mason Pelio walked three of the first four batters to start the fifth inning. Serretti plated Johnny Castagnozzi on a fielder’s choice to get his fourth RBI, and finally drove Justice Thompson home with a single to centerfield in the eighth inning.

Game 2

Starting pitcher Max Carlson got tagged for his first loss of the season, giving up three runs in 4.1 innings. Relievers Caleb Cozart and Davis Palermo got touched up as well, surrendering three and four runs respectively, as Carolina lost Game 2 10-3.

Angel Zarate had three hits on the day, successfully reaching base for the 37th straight game. The left fielder also had an RBI when he plated Clemente Inclan from a double down the right field line in the fifth inning. Carolina would not score again until the eighth inning when the game was quite out of hand, and even then, their two runs were unearned, coming off an error and fielder’s choice.

Game 3

Carolina won the series decider in a tense game that nearly didn’t end thanks to an errant throw to first from third baseman Mac Horvath that forced first baseman Brett Centracchio to tag Vince Cimini before he touched first base.

Danny Serretti stood out again during the rubber match. He erased an early BC 1-0 lead in the top of the second, blasting a solo shot to left field. In the top of the ninth, with the score tied 4-4, Serretti dragged a 1-2 count to eight pitches, fouling off four straight tosses until he connected with a sweet shot to the wall at right center, scoring Justice Thompson and giving the Tar Heel shortstop a triple.

Starter Max Alba did not have a vintage outing, lasting only four innings. He left the game with a 4-2 lead, but Boston College’s two-run fifth inning cost him the decision. Alba spread seven hits through his four innings, but surrendered three earned runs. Relievers Shawn Rapp and Caden O’Brien were able to see the game through.

The Diamond Heels will travel to Greenville, NC to take on East Carolina for a Tuesday night game. This weekend, Carolina will host NC State at Boshamer Stadium for a Friday-Sunday series. NC State sucks (4-9, 1-8 ACC play) and have had series against VMI and Duke, as well as a single game against Coastal Carolina cancelled already. UNC should make short work of the Wolfpack, but baseball can be finicky in that regard.