Coming into the team’s series against Virginia Tech (19-21, 8-12 ACC), the Tar Heels’ (24-15, 10-10 ACC) normal weekend starters — Zac Gallen, J.B. Bukauskas and Benton Moss — had combined for an overall record of 9-3 and an ERA of 2.95.
But after a powerful Hokie lineup hit both Gallen and Bukauskas, UNC found itself in an unfamiliar position and had to rely on unconventional methods to salvage splitting the series with Virginia Tech, 3-8 and 11-10. The third game of the series was canceled due to rain.
Friday’s action began with promise for the Tar Heels, who jumped out to a 2-1 lead after four innings behind RBI hits from Tyler Ramirez and Logan Warmoth. But in the sixth inning, Gallen gave up four straight hits, including a pair of home runs to give the Hokies a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Zac (Gallen) wasn’t as sharp as he has been this season, but it happens,” Coach Mike Fox said. “You have to give Virginia Tech credit; they play well at home, and they were able to give us some trouble.”
That trouble continued into the second game of the series for the Tar Heels. After UNC built a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, Bukauskas allowed a two-RBI single and a two-run shot over the wall in right to tie the game. Bukauskas was eventually chased from the game in the third inning after giving up four more runs.
Down 8-6 after three innings and in danger of losing the series, the Tar Heels had to look for whatever they could in the batter’s box to produce some offense. And to UNC’s advantage, the Virginia Tech pitching staff was having its share of troubles as well, leaving an opportunity for several Tar Heels, namely junior Elijah Sutherland, to make their presence felt.
“I’m always up there trying to do whatever I can to help the team, whether that’s by taking a pitch off the elbow or getting the hit,” he said.
And that’s exactly what the Kingsport, Tenn., native did Saturday. Sutherland ended the game with three RBI, one from a sacrifice fly and the others from being hit by two separate pitches, the last of which gave UNC a 10-8 lead in the top of the fifth.
