Unable to compile a cohesive offensive effort, No. 20 North Carolina fell to Notre Dame, 3-1, on Saturday night. With UNC’s loss, Notre Dame tied the series at one game apiece.
What happened?
With the Tar Heels failing to tally a hit in the first five innings, it became clear that North Carolina (32-18, 11-14 ACC) would have to rely on their defense to defeat the Fighting Irish (26-23, 10-13 ACC).
At first, it worked, as North Carolina’s defense held Notre Dame scoreless for five innings behind J.B. Bukauskas.
But the defensive stronghold cracked in the sixth inning, when Notre Dame’s Matt Vierling whacked a two-run home run over the left-field wall. On the next at bat, UNC committed an error, allowing a Fighting Irish runner to reach third base. That batter went on to score on an RBI single. By the end of the inning, Notre Dame led 3-0.
Six innings deep, Cody Roberts broke the no-hit spell in dramatic fashion, knocking a solo home run to left field to cut Notre Dame’s lead to 3-1. North Carolina had a chance to tie the game in the seventh inning after a pair of infield singles by Tyler Ramirez and Logan Warmoth, The two were left stranded on base, since no other Tar Heel could connect with the bat to bring them home.
North Carolina did not find another good scoring chance the rest of the night.
Who stood out?
Amidst the offensive struggles, J.B. Bukauskas kept UNC competitive with his pitching, holding the Fighting Irish to two hits and no runs in the first five innings. Bukauskas finished off the night with eight strikeouts.
