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UNC Baseball: Josh Hiatt returns from suspension

By Zack Pearson

FORT BRAGG, NC - JULY 03: A detailed view of baseballs prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves on July 3, 2016 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Fort Bragg Game marks the first regular season MLB game ever to be played on an active military base. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
FORT BRAGG, NC - JULY 03: A detailed view of baseballs prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves on July 3, 2016 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Fort Bragg Game marks the first regular season MLB game ever to be played on an active military base. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Josh Hiatt returns to the Diamond Heels as they hit a stretch run of the season

The North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team is getting a big boost to its bullpen.

Closer Josh Hiatt will return to the team just a few weeks after being suspended by manager Mike Fox for conduct detrimental to the team,. On Tuesday, it was announced that Hiatt has returned to the team and is available to pitch in Tuesday night’s game against Richmond.

The move is coming at the right time for the Tar Heels who have gone 25-6 over their last 31 games, including a big series sweep over N.C. State. In that series, Fox had to rely on a few freshman pitchers in the bullpen to help seal the deal.

Earlier this year, Hiatt picked up right where he left off after an impressive freshman season in which he recorded 13 saves and posted a 1.90 ERA. In 2018, Hiatt has 3 saves with an ERA of 2.67.

He gives Fox a dominant reliever to go to when the game is on the line.

With the regular season ending in May, the Tar Heels currently lead the entire Atlantic Coast Conference with an 18-6 record.

This week, UNC will play two non-conference games before heading to Durham for a big three-game weekend set against Duke. UNC currently leads Duke by 2.5 games in the ACC Coastal Division.

For the Tar Heels, this month of May will be big for their chances to host a Regional. They entered this week as the No. 3 team in the nation according to Baseball America and are currently in-line for that host spot.

If they want to get back to the College World Series, hosting a regional is a start. They will also have the ACC Tournament just before the NCAA Tournament begins.

Next: UNC, Duke set for weekend showdown on the diamond

For more coverage on the Diamond Heels, please check back with Keeping It Heel.

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