After Loss at ECU, Tar Heels Trounce Pirates in Rematch

It wasn't going to be close.

Unlike in ECU's 2-1 victory in Greenville on April 17, North Carolina swung hard and often Tuesday night and took an 8-0 lead after two innings en route to a 10-1 win.

"It's not too often we can revenge a non-conference loss," said UNC center fielder Adam Greenberg. "But we were ready to jump on them this time."

Greenberg started it off with a solo home run to give UNC (34-15) a 1-0 lead in the first inning, The Tar Heels made it 2-0 after a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Cleveland.

It marked Greenberg's sixth leadoff homer this season.

"He's not a typical leadoff hitter, but it tells you what kind of talent he's got," said UNC coach Mike Fox. "He gives us so much more with his power."

In the second inning, the Tar Heels managed a six-run onslaught for an 8-0 lead. When it was finished, all UNC batters had already reached base.

Along with Greenberg and Cleveland, the Tar Heels got hits from Russ Adams and Ron Braun.

The rest was left up to UNC pitcher Whitley Benson, who got the win in his first start as a Tar Heel.

"We were hoping to get three innings out of him, but he gave us a lot more," said UNC coach Mike Fox. "He stepped up big, and it was a huge boost to his confidence."

Benson pitched six innings and allowed five hits but no runs.

The Pirates (33-11-1) scored in the eighth inning when Kevin Brower threw a wild pitch to bring in ECU's Brian Cavanaugh. It broke a streak of 19 straight innings that the Tar Heels had pitched shutout baseball.

"We were upset when they scored, because when you get that close, you want a shutout," Fox said. "When you put the reliever in you make sure they know the team wants one."

But Tar Heel Chris Maples said it would not spark an ECU comeback.

"Once you put the knife in, you have to go ahead and twist it," Maples said.

Harrell Suspended Indefinitely

Citing failure to meet academic standards, Fox announced Tuesday that UNC freshman pitcher Carter Harrell has been suspended indefinitely. Harrell is 7-3 with a 3.68 ERA this season.

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.