UNC baseball picks up midweek victory with 7-4 win over Campbell

The North Carolina baseball team (23-14, 8-10 ACC) defeated the Campbell Camels (22-13, 11-1 Big South), 7-4, to bounce back from a narrow loss at home on Sunday. 

What happened?

The Tar Heels started the top of the first inning by holding the Camels to no hits and no runs. In the bottom of the inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, sophomore first baseman Hunter Stokely singled to right field, allowing sophomore designated hitter Alberto Osuna and sophomore infielder Mac Horvath to score. UNC went into the second inning leading 2-0. 

The Camels responded in the second inning by scoring a run in the top of the inning and holding the Tar Heels scoreless in the bottom of the inning to trim the UNC’s lead to 2-1 heading into the third inning. 

With the bases loaded in the top of the third inning and just one out, junior pitcher Nik Pry struck out two Campbell batters in a row to maintain the Tar Heels' one-run lead going into the bottom of the third inning, but UNC’s offense couldn’t capitalize on its defensive stand in the bottom of the inning and failed to get either a hit or run. 

Campbell scored a run during the top of the fourth inning to tie the score at two runs. UNC went scoreless for a third straight inning, keeping the score tied at 2-2 heading into the fifth inning.   

UNC responded to Campbell’s score by holding the Camels to no runs or hits in the top of the fifth inning. Osuna helped UNC reclaim the lead in the bottom of the inning by singling to left field, which allowed Horvath to score his second run of the game. 

The Tar Heels’ offense had its most productive showing in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on three hits. Redshirt junior outfielder Angel Zarate got the sixth-inning scoring spree going with a single to right field that allowed Stokely and senior second baseman Mikey Madej to score and put UNC up 5-2. First-year outfielder Vance Honeycutt later scored thanks to an RBI from Horvath to put the Tar Heels up 6-2. 

UNC allowed two runs by Campbell in the top of the seventh inning to make the deficit more manageable for the Camels going into the final stretch. The Tar Heels responded by scoring a run in the bottom of the inning to increase their lead to 7-4 with two innings left in the game. 

The momentum remained with the Tar Heels, as the UNC defense allowed zero hits and no runs in the top of the eighth inning. The Camels’ defense stood strong, however, and held UNC to no runs or hits. 

The Tar Heels closed out their seven-run night with a defensive stand in the top of the ninth inning to claim their 23rd win of the season with a 7-4 victory over the Camels. 

Who stood out?

Osuna and Stokely stood out at bat for the Tar Heels. Osuna recorded two hits and one RBI, and Stokely recorded two hits in four at bats. Stokely also contributed one run and two RBIs.

On the mound, Pry and sophomore pitcher Shawn Rapp made their presence felt. Rapp recorded three strikeouts in two innings pitched and allowed just two hits while Pry struck out three batters in just over an inning of pitching. 

When was it decided? 

UNC’s three-run performance in the sixth inning to put them ahead 6-2 with just three innings left was a significant turning point in favor of the Tar Heels, but their one run in the bottom of the seventh followed by holding Campbell scoreless in the top of the eighth inning was likely the final nail in the Camels’ coffin. 

Why does it matter?

After losing three of four games at home last week, the Tar Heels win against the Camels helps them get back on track and in the win column ahead of an important road trip against ACC opponent Virginia. 

When do they play next? 

The Tar Heels will look to get their 24th win of the season on Friday at 6 p.m. on the road against the Cavaliers.  

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com