The No. 13 North Carolina baseball team (23-10, 8-5 ACC) defeated Queens University, 10-6, in the Tar Heels’ first matchup of a nine-game homestand.
What happened?
UNC got out to a strong start in the first inning, giving up no hits or runs to the Lions while putting up seven runs and six hits at the bottom of the inning.
The UNC pitching staff kept the clamps tight on Queens in the second inning, allowing just two hits and zero runs. The Tar Heels’ hitters, however, cooled off after a pitching switch by the Lions, as UNC recorded no hits or runs in the inning and took a 7-0 lead into the third.
While UNC’s pitching held the Lions to no runs in the third inning, junior infielder Patrick Alvarez helped UNC’s batting get back on track by hitting a home run. Junior first baseman Alberto Osuna and junior first baseman Hunter Stokely scored off of Alvarez’s home run, and the Tar Heels led 10-0 heading into the fourth inning.
UNC couldn’t carry its batting over into the fourth inning, as the Lions held the Tar Heels to no runs or hits in the fourth inning. UNC’s pitching and fielding continued to neutralize Queens' offense, allowing no hits or runs.
Batting struggles continued into the fifth inning for the Tar Heels, putting up their second straight inning with zero runs and hits. But UNC’s pitching and fielding continued to hold and helped maintain its 10-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, the Tar Heels’ , allowing a Lions’ home run that trimmed their lead to eight. UNC’s batting couldn’t rebuild the lead, and UNC went into the seventh inning with a 10-2 advantage.
UNC let its lead slip more in the seventh inning, giving up a home run in the top of the inning and continuing to struggle at bat. Then, again in the eighth inning, UNC allowed another run while not getting one of its own, reducing their lead to 10-4 heading into the ninth inning. The Lions added two more runs in the final frame, but the Tar Heels held on for a comfortable 10-6 win.
