A three-run first inning helped No. 6 North Carolina (3-0) clinch the series sweep over Texas Tech (0-3) with a 4-2 victory on Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. UNC did so without a home run through its first three games, after tallying six in the opening series last season.
“We're gonna hit some home runs this year, don't worry,” junior outfielder Kane Kepley said. "But, our lineup is doing the small things right.”
Kepley continued his hot hitting to start the season with a pair of singles and an RBI. He recorded a team-high five hits through three games and a team-low one strikeout.
Texas Tech was first on the scorecard in the opening frame. A single by Kyeler Thompson got the Red Raiders on base before he stole second and moved to third on a ground ball. A base knock up the middle by Damian Bravo plated Thompson and gave Texas Tech the early advantage.
In the bottom half of the first, North Carolina answered with three runs of its own. The Diamond Heels loaded the bases with no outs via two walks and a single. Junior outfielder Rom Kellis’ single was able to drive two runners home before a sacrifice fly by graduate designated hitter Sam Angelo earned the third.
Sophomore starting pitcher Olin Johnson only lasted 2 and 1/3 innings before first-year Camron Seagraves came in at relief. The right-hander entered the game in a jam before loading the bases with two outs, but Seagraves struck out the next batter with a sweeping slider to strand three Red Raiders on the base paths.
“On our staff, there's no disdain towards freshmen or being new,” first-year Ryan Lynch said. “That you don't have to necessarily establish yourself on the team right away, which is great. So they make us very comfortable.”
North Carolina added another run in the fourth off the bat of Kepley. His sacrifice grounder to second base was enough to score senior second baseman Jackson Van De Brake from third.
UNC continued to stifle Texas Tech’s bats with pitching from Lynch who tallied seven strikeouts and one earned run. But when he exited in the ninth, junior closer Matthew Matthijs allowed one runner to score before closing out the series.
