In first matchup since 2017 NCAA Regionals, UNC baseball beats Davidson, 12-4

At the annual Bark at the Bosh game, UNC baseball (25-9, 7-5 ACC) defeated Davidson (14-14, 4-2 Atlantic 10), 12-4. 

What happened?

First-year Connor Ollio started on the mound for the Tar Heels and pitched two strikeouts early in the first inning but was unable to secure the third before the Wildcats earned a run. A single with runners on first and second scored the first run of the game.

First-year Josh Dotson relieved Ollio in the third inning. The Tar Heels remained off the scoreboard until later that inning when junior Michael Busch doubled for the first UNC hit of the game to bring in two. Junior Ike Freeman followed with a single and picked up an RBI. Another run scored on a passed ball while junior Brandon Martorano was at the plate, putting UNC in the lead, 4-1. 

The Tar Heels defended the diamond with double play action in the top of the fourth and continued their energy to the plate. 

At the bottom of the inning, first-year Aaron Sabato hit a double to left field to bring two more runners in for UNC, while first-year Danny Serretti brought in Sabato to widen the lead to 7-1.

With the bases loaded, Martorano doubled to add to the offensive scoring and brought in two more runs to end the fourth inning piling on five more runs. 

The Wildcats finally stopped the Tar Heels in the sixth after a fielder's choice brought home another run in the fifth. That same inning, Davidson tried to climb out of the deficit, and did decrease it with a three-run home run by Justin Lebek. 

However, a pair of runs across the seventh and eighth inning for UNC solidified a home win for the Tar Heels.  

Who stood out?

The Tar Heels spread the wealth offensively against the Wildcats as no player had more than one hit before the seventh inning. 

“We’ve scored a lot of runs in the last five games,” head coach Mike Fox said. “Hitting is contagious and it is all about confidence, and a lot of our guys are getting the box feeling pretty good.”

Busch added 2 RBIs to his season; he now has at least one RBI in seven straight games, a career high, and 10 RBIs in the last 11 games. Busch has started every game for the Tar Heels this season and last season.

Enwiller had two hits and two runs to pace the Tar Heels. Martorano had two RBIs on the day, while first-year Cameron Brantley recorded his first career hit in the bottom of the eighth inning. 

When was it decided?

UNC remained silent at the plate for the first two innings, but picked up momentum in the third which carried them for the rest of the game. The Wildcats had four consecutive scoreless innings but brought in runs in the sixth. Then the Tar Heels held them for the remainder of the game. 

Why does it matter?

The Tar Heels returned to Boshamer Stadium to play a non-conference opponent for the second night in a row. The Wildcats upset the Tar Heels in Boshamer Stadium twice two years ago to advance out of the NCAA Regionals.  

“It feels good," Martorano said. "A lot of those guys that were on the ‘17 team remember those feelings that we had on this field two years ago." 

When do they play next?

UNC faces off in another conference series against Notre Dame in a series this weekend that begins Friday at 6pm. 

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