Hot bats in early innings give UNC baseball series win over Miami

The No. 8 North Carolina baseball team earned a much-needed 8-5 win over Miami on Sunday.

The Tar Heels rode a seven run explosion in the first three innings to their second ACC victory of the season, and first ACC series victory.

What happened?

The ball was carrying early in the game for both teams. In the top of the first inning, Miami (15-5, 3-3 ACC) barreled up a three-run home run that put the Hurricanes on top early.

UNC (16-5, 2-4 ACC) responded with some runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning. Junior Dylan Harris led off with a double that bounced off the top of the wall, and the next batter, junior Michael Busch, drove him in with a double of his own.

Busch moved to third on a sacrifice fly and scored on a fielder’s choice in the infield. First-year Aaron Sabato continued the eventful first inning when he blasted a two-run home run off the scoreboard in left field, giving the Tar Heels a 4-3 lead going into the second inning.

After a scoreless top of the second inning, UNC continued to put on an offensive display. Harris put the Tar Heels on the scoreboard again with a solo home run, while Busch earned a hard hit single before the inning ended.

The strong hitting didn’t stop there, as Sabato poked another two-run home run over the right field wall to extend UNC’s lead to 7-3 in the third inning.

In the fourth inning, junior Austin Bergner continued to roll after a tough start to his outing on the mound, and the Hurricanes brought on a new pitcher that cooled off the Tar Heels’ bats and didn’t allow a run.

Miami plated one run off Bergner in the sixth inning to make it a three run game, while the Hurricanes’ bullpen continued to limit UNC's bats.

To start the seventh inning, the Tar Heels made a pitching change, bringing in sophomore Caden O'Brien. Bergner ended his day with six innings pitched and four earned runs allowed.

Miami’s Freddy Zamora led off the top of the eighth inning with a solo homer. However, O’Brien limited the damage, only allowing the one run.

The Tar Heels added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth to give their closer, redshirt first-year Austin Love, a three run cushion going into the ninth inning. Love shut down the Hurricanes to give UNC its first series win of the young conference season.

Who stood out?

Sabato had an impressive day at the plate. He went 3-4 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs. The first-year has been on fire in ACC play, batting 8-17 with three home runs and eight RBIs.

Harris also stayed hot, going 3-5 at the plate with a home run and reaching home twice himself.

When was it decided?

Signs pointed to a UNC win after the Tar Heels jumped out to a 7-3 lead. The Hurricanes would have two one run innings, but failed to overcome an otherwise strong showing by the North Carolina bullpen.

Why does it matter?

UNC earned a much-needed series win in terms of ACC standings. The team was reeling after suffering four straight losses to begin conference play, but two wins this weekend against the Hurricanes put them back in position to string together some wins and compete for the division.

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels will travel to Lynchburg, Va., for a tilt with Liberty on Tuesday.

@matt_chilson

@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com