UNC Baseball: Diamond Heels off to a hot start

The Diamond Heels are off to a hot start, check out their weekly recap below!

Following the sweep of the Kentucky Wildcats last weekend, the Tar Heels did it again, but this time against the Radford Highlanders. The Diamond Heels also defeated Gardner Webb in a midweek matchup on Wednesday.

These wins bring the Heels to a 7-0 start, and are looking like a serious threat to make the College World Series.

Gardner Webb

Carolina dominated against Gardner Webb, beating them 11-1 in their only match up. Cole Aker took the mound and got his first win of the season in six innings work. Aker only surrendered three hits in the game.

At the plate, Kyle Datres went yard for the Heels in the first inning and the Heels blew the game open with five runs. Carolina did spread the wealth, having six players with at least one RBI in the game.

Radford

In the series against Radford, the Heels’ pitchers were the ones that carried the team. They gave up zero, three, and five runs respectively in the games. The first game was a pitchers duel, as a matter of fact.

In game one of the Raford series, the Heels knocked off the Highlanders 2-0. Tar Heels set up man Rodney Hutchison got the win for the Heels in relief. Bukauskas went seven innings, giving up three hits, and striking out eleven as a starter. Brian Miller mashed a two-run homer in the eighth, giving the Heels the lead once and for all.

In game two, Jason Morgan won his second game of the year, as the Heels routed Radford 9-3. Morgan went 5.2 innings, giving up two runs in that time. Third baseman Kyle Datres was the hero at the plate, driving in four runs for the Heels. Three other Heels contributed in the RBI category, making light work of Radford.

Game three was a closer game, with the Heels winning 7-5. Lucas Dalatri dominated the game, going eight innings, surrendering only two runs, and striking out fifteen batters! Josh Hiatt came in and got another save for the Heels. Logan Warmoth and Brandon Riley both did well at the plate for the Heels, driving in four runs together.

Overall Recap

Carolina has been strong on offense during their hot start. They are averaging a little more than six runs per game, while batting .284 as a team. They are led at the plate by Logan Warmoth, who is hitting .407 by himself!

While the hitting has been strong, the pitching has been near unhittable. The pitching staff is led by preseason All-American JB Bukauskas, but several others have contributed to the hot start. On Monday, Tar Heels starter Lucas Dalatri was named ACC Pitcher of the Week!

The pitching staff is even more impressive the deeper you dive into it. Sure, Bukauskas, Jason Morgan, and Dalatri have been strong on the top end, but the bullpen has been phenomenal also. Last year, the bullpen was the thing that killed the Heels, but this year, it could be its strength.

Closer Josh Hiatt is having a sensational year so far, getting five saves in five attempts. Setup man Rodney Hutchison Jr has only allowed one run in four appearances also. It is easy to see that the bullpen is very much improved from last season. The bullpen will be the difference whether the Heels can go to the CWS this season!