The No. 6 North Carolina baseball team (16-3, 2-3 ACC) defeated Louisville (15-3, 1-1 ACC), 6-4, in the second game of a doubleheader Friday night at Jim Patterson Stadium.
Behind seven innings, no earned runs and eight strikeouts from graduate pitcher Jake Knapp, the Diamond Heels earned their second conference win of the season and split Friday’s doubleheader. Sophomore third baseman Gavin Gallaher sparked the offense with three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning.
North Carolina started off quick offensively, with junior center fielder Kane Kepley lasering a long line drive that bounced off the wall for his ACC-leading fifth triple of the season. An infield ground out by sophomore catcher Luke Stvevenson scored Kepley, giving the Tar Heels an early 1-0 lead.
After a ground ball single from Gallaher, graduate first baseman Hunter Stokley smacked a two-run home run over the right field wall, giving North Carolina a three run lead before the Cardinals had an at-bat.
Knapp orchestrated a 1-2-3 inning, but UNC didn't add onto its lead, leaving two runners in scoring position stranded in the top of the second.
In the top of the third, with the bases loaded and two outs, junior pinch hitter Carter French lined out to right field.
North Carolina's stout defensive play continued, keeping the Cardinals off the base paths in the bottom of the third.
Sophomore catcher Luke Stevenson beat out the throw to second base after roping a line drive into right-center field in the fourth inning. But after Stevenson advanced to third, Stokely struck out to end the inning.
Knapp’s successful outing continued into the fourth, striking out three of the four batters he faced.