The statline for North Carolina’s first baseman seemed almost customary Tuesday night against UNC-Greensboro. And for the past three seasons, it was — heck, even expected.
With the departure of Dustin Ackley, the Tar Heels’ sweet-stroking star, to the big leagues this past year, you couldn’t help but believe a drop-off — or perhaps even a striking decline — might occur with the offensive statistics of UNC’s first basemen.
Right?
Well, not quite. Thus far in the 2010 campaign, junior Dillon Hazlett has provided glimpses of the Tar Heels — post-Ackley, that is. And thus far, such returns have been fairly positive. Hazlett went 3-for-4 against UNC-G.
“(Dillon’s) been doing great over there,” outfielder Brian Goodwin said of Hazlett. “He’s making all the plays, and he’s getting calls over there that I even question. He’s stepping it up at the plate and stepping into a big role.”
Obviously, it won’t be easy for Hazlett to truly fill Ackley’s shoes. The former UNC first baseman was a three-time All-America and Rivals.com’s top collegiate hitter of the 2000s — fairly lofty accolades to say the least.
“I try not to say Dustin Ackley played there, because you can’t really live up to what he did,” Hazlett said.
Coming into North Carolina’s matchup against UNC-G, Hazlett had accumulated a batting average of .444. Sure, all of his hits were singles, but so too were 67 of Ackley’s hits last year. And on Tuesday, well, it was more of the same.
In the bottom of the first inning, the right-handed Hazlett hit a liner past the outstretched arms of UNC-G shortstop Eric Brindle and third baseman Taylor Schwarz. The shot scored sophomore Levi Michael from second — giving Hazlett his second RBI of the season. Two innings later, Hazlett singled in another run — pushing UNC’s lead to 3-0.
“He’s off to a good start for us,” coach Mike Fox said of Hazlett. “Nobody’s going to replace Dustin Ackley. We’re not asking him to. We got to get production from a lot of people. But being a transfer, he’s got some experience, and that’s going to help him.”
It has so far.
By the bottom of the fourth, and with the score 5-2, Hazlett again batted with a runner in scoring position. And as it became increasingly expected throughout the day, he delivered. This time, he did it with yet another single — which ushered Michael home once more.
About the only miscue Hazlett had on the day was his handling of an errant throw from Michael, which allowed a UNC-G baserunner to reach first safely.
Fox sure seemed content with the junior’s performance afterward, citing Hazlett’s hitting in the clutch and defense as huge positives.
The rest of the UNC squad couldn’t agree more.
“Right now, he’s filling the shoes (at first base),” Goodwin said of Hazlett.
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
