UNC baseball hosts first-ever Student Home Run Derby at Boshamer Stadium

The list of legends who have taken the batter's box at Boshamer Stadium is lengthy. 

A six-by-four foot chalked dirt surface holds memories of a program that has won eight ACC championships, made 12 College World Series appearances and has numerous alums playing professionally. 

But on a warm spring Monday afternoon, UNC junior Braden Cline strolled into that same box. 

"Tried to hit a ball at the Bosh," he saidafter his plate appearance. "Didn't work."

Cline was one of hundreds of North Carolina students who participated in the first-ever Student Home Run Derby hosted by the baseball team at Boshamer Stadium. Amid a season where the Diamond Heels sit at 31-9 and were ranked No. 8 in the country, all students — no matter the level of experience — were invited to spend an evening going through a simulated batting practice. Everyone who opted to swing received five machine-thrown pitches, using bats and helmets provided by the team. Students took to the field in small groups, allowing each individual to take in the rare opportunity of standing in the historic ballpark.

"It's pretty unique to be able to get a chance as a normal student to hit at the Bosh like this," graduate student Shawn Sussman said. "Couldn't turn that down."

The participants ranged from former baseball and softball players to first-time hitters. The North Carolina women's soccer and softball teams appeared as well, engaging in some friendly banter with their baseball peers.

For the first half hour of the event, only a handful of baseballs made it to the outfield grass as batters struggled to live up to the event's title. The trend continued until sophomore UNC club baseball player Mark Caveney stepped up to the plate. 

"I was pretty far up in the box, just trying to not look like an idiot and miss completely," Caveney said. "That was my goal."

He cleared that bar, and then some. 

Caveney hit the derby's first and only home run off the left field netting, and the blast grabbed the attention of a handful of Diamond Heels as they jumped out of their seats behind the cage and celebrated.

"They were all watching right behind, cheering people on," Caveney said, later adding, "It's definitely super cool to be there and talk to some players."

The buzz of the environment can largely be credited to the UNC baseball players, who showed up at full strength.

Crowding behind the portable batting cage and watching the students, first-year infielder Lee Sowers stole the show, using a microphone to commentate, praise and, on occasion, taunt the batters who swung and missed.

"I definitely got ripped on a little bit," sophomore Michael Wilkerson said. "I deserved it."

Other students crowded the seats. Many cheered on friends and enjoyed the lively scene.

Some even made predictions on how the participants would fare.

"We're really thinking he could either hit four home runs in a row or whiff all of them. There's really no in-between," third-year law student Emma Poole said before one of her friends stepped in the box. 

Many applauded the creativity of the first-time event and agreed it should push attendees to return to Boshamer Stadium to support the team in the future.

"If you could say 'I've hit down there,' then I want to come back to the Bosh and watch people actually hit [in games]," Wilkerson said.

UNC students weren't the only ones that took part in the fun. As the event approached its final minutes, event staff, athletic administrative staff and Diamond Heel pitchers took their opportunity to step into the batter's box. Remington, UNC baseball's official training assistance dog, sniffed around the festivities as well.

No matter who was swinging, the park overflowed with laughter, music and smiles. The vibrance and personality of the evening got the attention of Tar Heel students, and many hoped for a second chance at the derby if the event were to return next year.

"I'm hitting one out next year," Cline said. "I'm calling my shot now."

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com