Michael steps up in _¶ nal two

Levi Michael couldn't really say what it was that led to his three strikeouts in Friday's matchup against Miami.

He wasn't sure if it was the fastball of Hurricanes' lefty Chris Hernandez.

Or if it was the added pressure from the combined 5-for-7 performance of Dustin Ackley and Kyle Seager ahead of him in the lineup.

But whatever ""it"" was"" it was gone by Saturday.

""I just tried to focus a little harder" stop swinging at bad pitches and wait for my pitch and then don't try to do too much with it — just hit the ball back up the middle" Michael said after Sunday's 2-for-2 showing with an RBI and two walks.

Michael got to base on seven of his eight chances in the series' final two games, including three hits with three RBI.

That performance normally wouldn't be surprising from Michael, a freshman who joined the Tar Heels a semester early, and, until recently, led the ACC in RBI.

But after striking out three times and only reaching base after getting hit by a pitch Friday, Michael was moved from the five-spot to the bottom of the lineup.

We hit him ninth just because we've got to take the pressure off of him"" coach Mike Fox said. Get him out of situations where he feels like he has to do too much.""

Michael was up with players on base in every one of his at-bats Friday" and he stranded six of UNC's eight batters left on base.

Things looked better by the fourth inning Saturday" when Michael's single sent home Garrett Gore and Brett Thomas — giving the Tar Heels the tying run.

""I changed my approach a little bit now" hitting at the bottom of the order Michael said Sunday. I've been patient trying to draw walks hit by pitches" and then obviously when I get a ball over the plate I just try to hit it somewhere.""

Though Michael didn't score during the rest of the series" he left only one Tar Heel on base in Saturday's matchup. He stopped taking as many swings" as well — his only strikeout in the last two games came looking.

""When he got in a funk a little bit" as it happens you start swinging at bad pitches. You try too hard Fox said. So I think more than anything else he calmed down in the batter's box and concentrated a little harder" looked at the ball a little better.""

Third baseman Kyle Seager said Michael's play at the bottom of the order could prove crucial for UNC.

""I mean" he's capable of going off at any time. He's such a good hitter" he said. Just having him at the bottom of the order will let him relax a little bit and maybe see a few more fastballs.""

Michael graduated from North Davidson High School in January to join the Tar Heels this spring.

He's started all of UNC's 41 games at second baseman" playing most in the top third of the lineup" but he's still getting used to the demands of college ball.

""It's been a tough transition" but it's been fun he said.

In high school I played shortstop so I've been learning to play second base a little bit. It's given me some struggles but I feel like I've kind of settled in a little bit and figured some things out" and I'm doing all right right now.""



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.