But this time, No. 21 UNC buried the No. 9 Bruins with a five-run seventh inning, securing a 14-5 win in Los Angeles.
Junior outfielder Tyler Ramirez grabbed the momentum for the Tar Heels when he ripped a three-run home run in the first inning. The home run was UNC’s first of the season and gave North Carolina a 3-0 edge.
The Bruins responded with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second by sophomore infielder Sean Bouchard, chipping UNC’s lead to one.
The Tar Heels capitalized on an RBI ground out and a wild pitch in the third to score two more times and restore the three-run lead.
But plagued by errors, North Carolina forfeited the lead in the seventh.
While attempting to throw a runner out on a dropped third strike, first-year catcher Cody Roberts missed sophomore first baseman Brian Miller, allowing UCLA to score. In their next at-bat, the Bruins scored on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Luke Persico singled in a runner to tie the game at 5.
But instead of folding under pressure, UNC came alive.
Zach Gahagan knocked one out of the park to give North Carolina a 7-5 lead in the top of the seventh. Then junior left fielder Tyler Lynn picked up an RBI double and made it home himself off a throwing error by UCLA.
