In his first home game as a member of the No. 14 North Carolina baseball team, Kyle Datres lifted the Tar Heels to their third win of the season against a top-20 team.
With two on and one out in the bottom of the ninth Friday, the first-year ripped a ball into right-center, scoring sophomore Brian Miller and earning a 2-1 victory for UNC over No. 16 Oklahoma State.
Coming off of a series win against UCLA last weekend, the Tar Heels (3-1) entered the game against the Cowboys (2-3) with a lot of momentum. In the bottom of the first inning, Miller singled in North Carolina's first at-bat. Three batters later, junior Tyler Ramirez doubled to left-center to score Miller and give the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead.
Oklahoma State answered the very next inning, as third baseman Garrett Benge hit the third pitch of the frame from UNC starting pitcher Zac Gallen over the wall in right field. The home run marked the first time that Gallen had allowed a run in 2016.
Over the next seven innings, neither side was able to plate another runner. Gallen went seven strong innings, giving up just three hits and striking out nine on the day. On the other side, Cowboy pitchers Thomas Hatch and Tyler Buffett combined to keep the Tar Heel offense at bay.
Oklahoma State had a chance to do some damage in the top of the ninth, as left fielder Jon Littell singled to lead off the inning. UNC pitcher Hunter Williams was able to quell the attack, however, striking out the next batter and getting the one after that to fly out to deep center.
Littell was then caught stealing for the third out of the inning, setting the stage for Datres' heroics a few moments later.
Quotable
"I would say it was the perfect to end it. You just couldn't have scripted it any better for a home opener." — Coach Mike Fox on his team's victory.
