Chapel Hill, N.C.

On Friday at Boshamer Stadium, No. 15 North Carolina defeated No. 11 East Carolina 2-1 thanks to a solo home run by UNC’s junior centerfielder, Vance Honeycutt, in the eighth inning.

North Carolina’s victory made them the eighth team in NCAA history to achieve 3,000 wins and concluded their season-opening home series with a perfect record of 5-0.

The bullpen of the Tar Heels did not allow any runs in 4.1 innings, with starter Folger Boaz giving up only one run in 4.2 innings. Sophomore Matthew Matthijs (2-0) won his second consecutive game by retiring all six batters he faced in 2.0 innings pitched.

In the final inning, senior Matt Poston sealed the game with two strikeouts, securing his first save of the season.

After the ECU (3-2) team equalized the score to 1-1 in the fifth inning, Carolina prevented any more players from reaching second base and successfully executed two double plays to end the seventh and eighth innings.

Jacob Jenkins-Cowhart hit a double to bring in Carter Cunningham from second base and tie the game for the Pirates. Jacob Starling followed closely behind, but was caught and thrown out at home by Colby Wilkerson in an attempt to break the tie.

In the second inning, Alex Madera hit a double off the left field wall to bring in the first run of the game. This run was scored by Luke Stevenson, who started off the inning with a double. This was the only run that the Tar Heels managed to score against ECU’s starting pitcher, Trey Yesavage.

Yesavage recorded 11 strikeouts in six innings and only allowed four hits and one walk against Carolina before being replaced by Danny Beal (0-1).

On Saturday, the Tar Heels and Pirates will be playing at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville for their series. The game will start at 2 p.m.

NOTABLES:

Carolina claimed their second consecutive one-run victory by defeating Elon, 8-7, on Tuesday.

UNC and ECU competed in their fourth consecutive game with a one-run difference, and the Tar Heels emerged victorious for the second time in a row against the Pirates.

Casey Cook got a hit in the first inning, continuing his streak of five consecutive games with a hit to start the season. Madera also recorded a hit, making it his fourth game in a row with a hit after not playing in the first game of the season.

Honeycutt has now reached base in 40 consecutive games, dating back to the previous season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Alex Madera (UNC) hit a double to left field, allowing Luke Stevenson to score and giving the team a 1-0 lead.

“Jacob Jenkins-Cowhart equalized the score by hitting an RBI-double to center field, bringing Cater Cunningham home (T, 1-1).”

Vance Honeycutt of UNC hit a home run to the left field, making the score 2-1.

Source: wralsportsfan.com