UNC Baseball: Diamond Heels continue winning ways, Take NC State series 2-1
UNC headed into their Monday Night Nationally Televised ACC match-up at home against NC State with the series tied at a game a piece.
Wolf-pack Freshman Trea Turner started the game by getting a single up the middle, then stole second and later scored on a sac fly. His stolen base was a phenomenal 25 of 25 for the season, meaning he hasn’t been thrown out yet on an attempt.
The Diamond Heels would respond right away in the bottom half of the first getting the run back to tie the game at one.
Junior Tommy Coyle hit his first career Grand Slam in the bottom of the second to give the Heels a 5-1 lead and it was never relinquished.
UNC Senior leader Jacob Stallings added the other 3 RBI’s.
The combination of Freshman Benton Moss starting on the mound and Junior R.C. Orlan in relief went a total of 6 innings together giving up 3 runs with only 1 being earned on Orlan.
Chris McCue, the freshman lefty from Charlotte came in to retire 2 and give up 1 hit and 1 un-earned before the 6’4″ closer from Kansas would come in a get save number eight. Michael Morin went 2.1 innings striking out three and walking only one. Once again the UNC bullpen showed why they are 14, and now 15-0 when leading after 8 innings.
Another fact of Monday’s game was that it was the second straight without the Diamond Heels All-Everything third baseman, Sophomore Colin Moran. Though the injury has been kept under hush for the most part, as to what exactly happened, it is believed Moran may have done something out of anger and down right silly to break his right-hand.
*FLASHBACK : GAME ONE VS. NC STATE BOSHAMER STADIUM SATURDAY MARCH 24
It may have happened (Moran Broken Hand) after he made an error in the seventh inning of Game 1 at the Bosh.
Following Moran’s throwing error to start the seventh in Game One, NC State would capitalize with 2 runs and go on to win 3-1(after getting out-hit 10-6 by the Heels). The loss to open the series at Boshamer Stadium would also end the Heels ace starting pitcher Kent Emanuel’s(5-1) twelve game winning streak, dating back to last season.
Game 2 would be the first of many now that will not see the sensational sophomore Moran at third-base.
Freshman Shell McCain would get the start at third for Head Coach Mike Fox, with what appears to be a tryout for the next few weeks in the absence of Moran. In actuality, its something that may take a committee to fully replace. Either way Coach Fox is a proven winner in the NCAA. Currently he has the highest winning percentage among active College Baseball managers. Meaning he can flat-out win no matter the situation.
With that said, it seemed that was exactly what the Diamond Heels had in mind starting in Game 2 against the Pack.
UNC scattered 9 hits over nine innings and managed to keep the game tied for the final five and a half innings at 3-3. The bullpen once again proved why they should be considered the best in the NCAA top to bottom.
Pennsylvania native Tommy Coyle stole the show in the bottom of the ninth with a walk off hit to win the game 4-3 knocking in Sophomore Parks Jordan. The late inning win would also give Morin his second win of the season. It would also tie the series at the time and set the stage for what was another big game for Coyle and the Heels bullpen.
Diamond Heels are now 19-5 overall and 7-2 in conference. Maintaining their tie atop the leader board in the Coastal Division with Miami.
UNC welcomes Coastal Carolina to Boshamer Stadium Wednesday March 28, for a 6 PM game under the lights.
Like this column? Don’t forget to check me out on http://catcrave.com/ , covering everything NFL and Carolina Panthers!