Joey Lancellotti hits walk-off homer to propel UNC baseball over Middle Tennessee

A pair of late-game home runs allowed the No. 23 North Carolina baseball team (2-0) to claim a walk-off 2-1 victory over Middle Tennessee (0-2) on Saturday. 

Pitcher Joey Lancellotti's walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning propelled the Tar Heels to the win after centerfielder Dylan Harris tied the game with a solo shot in the eighth.

What happened?

North Carolina sophomore starting pitcher Will Sandy gave up a run off of a sacrifice fly in the first inning, but was able to keep the game close in his seven total innings pitched. The Blue Raiders' Peyton Wigginton, on the other hand, kept the Tar Heels scoreless in 7.2 innings on the mound. 

To that point, bottom of the fourth inning was UNC’s best scoring opportunity at that point. With two outs, sophomore outfielder Will Schroeder hit a line drive to right field to end the inning, stranding two baserunners.

The Tar Heels went three up, three down in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Then, at the bottom of the eighth, after thirteen straight at bats without a hit, Harris stepped up to the plate and smacked a home run to right center field. 

It was the first pitch of the at-bat, and would prove to be the one that brought UNC back.

Then, with one out in the ninth inning, designated hitter Lancellotti — who pitched 5.1 innings against the Blue Raiders Friday — blasted a home run to left field, sealing a 2-1 victory in walk-off fashion.

Who stood out?

Sandy had a standout game on the mound, giving up only three hits, one run and two walks in his seven innings played. He also had five strikeouts. Austin Love was solid in relief of Sandy, not allowing a hit in two innings.

In addition to his game-tying home run, Harris was the only Tar Heel to get more than one hit, recording three in four at bats. Lancelotti’s only hit of the game was his walk-off homer, as he went 1-4 at the plate and struck out twice.

When was it decided?

The game was not decided until the very last pitch. The pitchers had kept the game close all game, but Lancellotti’s home run brought the Tar Heels over the top and gave them their second win of the season.

Why does it matter?

Saturday's win showed UNC's chops in low-scoring games, and that the Tar Heels can rely on multiple players to bring in runs and win games.

Along with Lancellotti’s performance on the mound yesterday, Sandy and Love showed that there's a lot of pitching talent to be excited about for this North Carolina team as well.

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels will finish out the series against the Blue Raiders at Boshamer Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.

@pjdaman12

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