Hunter Stokley continues to mash as the UNC baseball program defeats VCU

Saying that Hunter Stokley is on fire at the plate might be an understatement at this point!

Stokley put together another career day at the plate as the UNC baseball program defeated VCU in non-conference action on Tuesday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.

The Diamond Heels found themselves trailing 4-0 after the Rams got on the board first in the top half of the third inning, but the Tar Heels wasted no time getting right back into the game. A Luke Stevenson RBI single got North Carolina on the board while Stokley followed it up with a three-run blast to tie up the score.

While the four-run third inning was all VCU would get, North Carolina's offense didn't let up. Rom Kellis gave the Diamond Heels the lead with an RBI double in the bottom half of the fifth inning while Kane Kepley roped an RBI double to drive in two more in the bottom half of the seventh inning. Kepley took advantage of two wild pitches, scoring just a few pitches after his clutch RBI hit.

Stokley wasn't satisfied with one homer, as he added an extra insurance run with his solo shot in the bottom half of the eighth inning (marking his first career multi-homer game).

Olin Johnson drew the start for the Diamond Heels but failed to get through three innings of work. The Tar Heels bullpen was lights out once again, highlighted by 3.1 shutout innings from true freshman Walker McDuffie (who escaped a crucial bases loaded jam when he entered the game in the fourth inning of action.

Overall, North Carolina's bullpen provided 6.2 innings of shutout baseball, striking out 11 batters over that span. McDuffie was responsible for seven of those punch outs, adding to his incredible start to his college baseball career.

The UNC baseball program continues to show resilience, especially when facing adversity. Digging an early hole is never easy to overcome, but this team proved that they have the ability to make it happen on any given day.

North Carolina will host NC A&T on Wednesday afternoon to continue non-conference action. First pitch at Boshamer Stadium is slated for 4:00 PM EST.