Much to-do has been made about the No. 1 North Carolina baseball team’s offense this season — and rightfully so — but outfielder Skye Bolt’s injury served as a reminder that the real strength of the team is in its pitching.
None of this is news to senior center fielder Chaz Frank.
“Absolutely, we are known for our pitching and defense,” Frank said. “Over the past four years I have been here, that’s what we have been known for.
That statement was true Tuesday night against Coastal Carolina, with UNC just letting up a single run during nine innings — taking the 5-1 win.
Starting pitcher Chris Munnelly battled on the mound for 6 2/3 innings, allowing the only run Coastal would tally while recording six strikeouts and allowing just five hits.
“I think it went well,” Munnelly said. “I got ahead in a lot of counts, they put the ball in play, (I) let my defense play behind me.
“I didn’t throw a lot of pitches, which was good — it let me go deep in the game, and we grinded it out and got the win.”
It seemed like runners were constantly on base while Munnelly was pitching, but he always managed to work his way out of it. The only run he gave up was off of a solo home run by Jacob May.
“I wasn’t trying to put runners on,” Munnelly laughed.
