The North Carolina baseball team (17-15, 11-12) fell to No. 17 Pittsburgh (20-10, 14-9), 3-2, in the second game of its weekend series on Saturday.
What happened?
This game served as the second of a doubleheader on Saturday, with Pittsburgh winning the first game, 6-2.
Unlike the first game, neither team was able to score in the first inning. The first hit was collected by the Tar Heels in the top of the second, when first baseman Brett Centracchio lined a single up the middle. UNC was unable to capitalize, however, as first-year infielder Colby Wilkerson flew out to end the top of the inning.
North Carolina got on the board first with a solo homer from junior baseman Clemente Inclan to lead off the top of the third inning. The Tar Heels extended their lead after a two-out double from sophomore shortstop Danny Serretti plated senior outfielder Dallas Tessar, who slid into home to give UNC a 2-0 lead.
Pittsburgh responded in the bottom of the third with a double by sophomore outfielder Kyle Hess, whose hit scored junior outfielder Jordan Anderson to bring the score to 2-1. Later in the inning, senior infielder David Yanni singled to center field and allowed Hess and sophomore infielder Sky Duff to score. With this, Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead heading into the fourth inning.
The next three innings were quiet for both teams. Both pitchers started to dial in, which stifled the bats of their opponents.
Despite giving up three runs in the third, redshirt sophomore pitcher Austin Love stayed in the game for the Tar Heels and finished with 12 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched. Pittsburgh's starter, Matt Gilbertson, was also solid on the mound, as he racked up eight strikeouts over seven innings.
In the bottom of the seventh, Pittsburgh was in prime position to extend its lead after placing two runners inscoring position with two outs. However, Tessar made a diving catch to help the Tar Heels escape the inning trailing by only a run.