No. 12 UNC baseball cruises past Charlotte, 14-4, in midweek victory

The No. 12 Diamond Heels (29-8, 11-7 ACC) conquered Charlotte (21-15, 8-4 AAC) with a 14-4 victory on Tuesday evening at Boshamer Stadium. 

After never trailing against Wake, North Carolina faced quick adversity in the top of the first against the 49ers. First-year right-handed pitcher Camron Seagraves gave up back-to-back home runs, bringing in three runs for Charlotte. 

Sophomore catcher Luke Stevenson answered for North Carolina, hitting a two-run homer, scoring junior center fielder Kane Kepley. With two outs and runners perched on second and third, the Diamond Heels looked to take control of the game. After an error from the 49ers, the Tar Heels tallied up two more runs. After one inning, UNC led 4-3. 

“We take a lot of pride in playing every pitch,” head coach Scott Forbes said. “Not looking at the scoreboard. It's more about us, than the opponent. At the end of the day, your best teams should be even better when their backs are against the wall.” 

North Carolina got out of the second inning without any damage. Senior second baseman Jackson Van De Brake kept the momentum going, singling up the middle. With the bases loaded, sophomore third baseman Gavin Gallaher fired a line drive to center, scoring three runs and extending the Tar Heels' lead to four. 

Charlotte could not find a way to change the momentum, ending with another scoreless inning. 

In the bottom of the third the Diamond Heels stayed aggressive, not shying away from any big plays. UNC quickly found itself with bases loaded once again. Graduate outfielder Tyson Bass singled to third, pushing North Carolina's lead to six. Charlotte stopped the bleeding with an inning-ending double play. 

Down 9-3, the 49ers looked to capitalize on any opportunity but had no response. 

In the top of the fifth, the Tar Heels went to the bullpen after Charlotte had runners on first and second, bringing in graduate right hand pitcher Cale Bolton. Despite bases being loaded, the 49ers could not find a way to swing the momentum in their favor and went scoreless for another half inning. UNC still led 9-3. 

“Offensively, we try to have quality at-bats, not trying to do too much at the plate,” graduate shortstop Alex Madera said. “That's kinda been the biggest thing, making sure we are having good at bats throughout the whole lineup.”

Following back-to-back quiet innings from the Diamond Heels, Charlotte finally cut the deficit, responding with a double to center field and fly out to right field. North Carolina entered the bottom of the sixth leading by five. 

Two outs, bases loaded, Kepley stepped up to the plate. Off the first pitch, he rocketed a single to right field, scoring two Tar Heels and sending junior outfielder Carter French to third. Van de Brake followed with a single of his own up the middle, allowing French to run home and extending North Carolina's lead to eight. 

“We know how good we are,” Madera said. “We know if we are behind early, or whatever point in the game, honestly, it doesn't matter. We’re able to put together some good at bats and just continue to work on the offensive.”

Following a scoreless seventh inning, Charlotte tried to rally back, but sophomore left-handed pitcher Folger Boaz would not let up, striking out two 49ers and retiring the side. UNC still led 12-4

North Carolina snuck in two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, extending its lead to ten and cutting the game short with their third run rule of the week. 

The Tar Heels travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to face Virginia Tech on Friday at English Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

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