Tar Heels in the Pros: April 27-May 3

Awards were won, shots were made, and it was another good week for Tar Heels in the pros.

Baseball

Apr 30, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley (13) hits a single against the Baltimore Orioles during the 8th inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Ackley: The Seattle second baseman raised his average over the past week, going 6/18 while only striking out twice. Ackley only tallied two walks and one RBI, but he paced the Mariners as the team went 4-1 over the week.

Daniel Bard: Last week, I predicted Bard might be on the cusp of regaining some of his former success. Turns out, that was premature. Bard was sent back to Double A Portland this past Sunday when another Red Sox pitcher returned from the DL. In his two appearances, Bard has struggled. On May 2nd, Bard struck out one batter but walked two others and threw two wild pitches. Of the 15 pitches he threw, only four were strikes.

Matt Harvey:  Harvey was named NL Pitcher of the Month for April this week, and he deserved it. Harvey went 4-0 in the month of April with a 1.56 ERA. In his only start this week, Harvey recorded a no decision, pitching 5.1 innings, surrendering seven hits and one run. Harvey threw 121 pitches, the most he’s thrown in any start this season.

Basketball

Harrison Barnes: Barnes continues to play solid playoff basketball, as the Warriors upset the Denver Nuggets. In the game four win, Barnes had his worst game of the series by far. he shot 2-for-9 and only tallied four points. Barnes must have a short memory as he responded by scoring 23 points with nine rebounds in the game five loss. He ended the series by scoring 11 points with five rebounds. Over the series, Barnes average 14.8 points, up more than five points from his 9.2 regular season average.

May 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton (2) drives the ball against Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The New York Knicks defeated the Celtics 88-80. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Raymond Felton: The New York Knicks won their first playoff series since 2000, and their point guard played solidly over the past week. In games four, five, and six, Felton scored 27, 21, and 11 points respectively. Combine those point totals with his 14 total assists over those games, and the former Tar Heel point guard was a crucial player. With the Knicks finally advancing in a series, perhaps New York fans are starting to appreciate Felton even if he doesn’t provide Linsanity.

The Next Round: With the Bulls winning game seven, every series except Miami-Chicago in the second round will feature at least one Tar Heel. Danny Green (Spurs), Harrison Barnes (Warriors), Raymond Felton (Knicks), Tyler Hansbrough (Pacers), and Ed Davis (Grizzlies) are playing in the next round.

Soccer

Enzo Martinez: The former 2011 National Champion, who was drafted into the MLS following his junior year, found himself back in the Triangle this past week. Real Salt Lake, his MLS club, put him on loan to play with the Carolina RailHawks, the Cary, North Carolina based NASL team. Martinez hasn’t yet made an MLS appearance with Real Salt Lake, but he did play in seven reserve games this year.