With two home runs from graduate first baseman Hunter Stokely, the No. 5 Diamond Heels (8-0) dominated Virginia Commonwealth University (2-6), 9-4, on Tuesday evening at Boshamer Stadium.
With no score after the first inning, North Carolina kicked off the second with a double play. VCU infielder Trent Adelman sent a sharp hit straight to graduate shortstop Alex Madera who quickly turned it into two outs at first and second.
Still scoreless entering the third, the Rams came out hot. After back to back hits and a walk, bases were loaded. Seth Werchan put VCU on the board, following his single to left field that gave VCU a two-run lead. Soon after, Will Henson single to right field, plating two more runs for VCU.
Down 4-0, the Tar Heels were looking for an answer. Following errors by the Rams, North Carolina had runners perched on third and first. Sophomore catcher Luke Stevenson found open space up the middle, sending home junior center fielder Kane Kepley and chipping VCU’s lead to three. Stokely kept the momentum going, hitting his second home run of the season and tying up the game as UNC rounded out the third inning.
“Just trying to do my job,” Stokely said. “Just trying to hit the ball pretty much off the bat as hard as I possibly can and whatever happens happens.”
With the bases loaded and two outs for VCU in the fourth inning, North Carolina went to the bullpen bringing in first-year pitcher Walker McDuffie who retired the hitter getting the Heels out of the jam.
In the bottom of the fifth, junior left fielder Rom Kellis helped the Heels take the lead for the first time with a two out double to left center, bringing home Stokely. The Diamond Heels led 5-4.
McDuffie proceeded to have back-to-back strikeouts to kick off the sixth inning.
After a slow start to the sixth, North Carolina had bases loaded once again. Stokely stepped up to bat looking for another home run but the Tar Heels could not convert.
