Baseball games, even blowouts, have the tendency to hinge on certain moments that decide the winner and the loser.
The No. 10 North Carolina baseball team’s 11-6 win over Elon Wednesday evening hinged on a critical stretch in the sixth inning, when the Phoenix put seven straight runners on base.
Up until the sixth inning, the Tar Heels (14-2) had been in control. North Carolina jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, as leadoff hitter Brian Miller scored from third base on a balk.
Elon (8-9) struck back with two runs in the top of the second inning, but UNC countered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Elon wouldn’t score in the next three innings, getting shut down by sophomore Brett Daniels — who earned his first win of the season.
North Carolina added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, increasing its lead to 9-2 and setting the stage for the top of the sixth inning.
The frame began with a walk by Elon's Danny Lynch. The next six Phoenix followed his lead, reaching base on a combined three walks and three hits. Neither first-year Rodney Hutchison, who started the inning, nor senior reliever Chris McCue could slow Elon down.
“I don’t think we let our guard down, I think that’s just baseball,” said junior Spencer Trayner on Elon’s rally. “Sometimes you end up walking, maybe a lucky hit here or there, mishit a ball, infield hit, and next thing you know there are bases loaded with no outs.”
After taking stock of the situation, pitching coach Scott Forbes does what he normally does when the Tar Heels are in trouble — bring in a new pitcher. In trotted Trayner from the UNC bullpen.
“When he comes in, you know what you are going to get,” said first-year Brandon Riley, who finished the game with two hits and two RBIs. “You know you are going to get good fastballs, he’s gonna have a good off-speed ... He’s gonna go straight at them.”
