Missed opportunities come back to haunt the UNC baseball program in loss to LSU

With a chance to clinch a berth to the Super Regionals, the UNC baseball program couldn't capitalize in key spots, resulting in a loss to LSU on Sunday night in Chapel Hill.

Serving as the visitor for the rematch between the two programs, the Diamond Heels never led in this one. In fact, the offense got off to a sluggish start and simply couldn't find a way to string together timely hits, especially late in the game.

Coming in with a 7.04 ERA on the season, Thatcher Hurd pitched like a legitimate ace early on, retiring the first 11 Tar Heels he faced. He strung together 5.2 innings pitched allowing just two runs, as the length he provided the Tigers was huge, especially given they played earlier in the day.

The big inning for LSU came in the bottom half of the fourth inning, as the Tigers pushed across four runs in the frame. Aidan Haugh, the Tar Heels starting pitcher, was removed after facing one batter in the fourth, as Kyle Pervical was called upon out of the pen.

Percival didn't last long, as he threw just one strike in 9 pitches. In fact, LSU was attempting to bunt runners over, as the left-hander still couldn't locate the zone. Connor Bovair was quickly inserted in an effort to limit the damage, but the damage was already in the works.

North Carolina will look back to missed opportunities they had offensively. In the top of the sixth inning, Gavin Gallaher, the hero from Friday night's game, struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning. The Diamond Heels added two runs in the seventh but left two stranded as Alberto Osuna popped out to end that rally.

With runners on first and second with two outs in the top half of the eighth, Vance Honeycutt just missed hitting a three-run homer as he pulled it just foul of the left field foul pole. The at-bat resulted in a strikeout to end the inning.

Once again, the Tar Heels threatened in the ninth inning, loading the bases while sending the tying run to the plate. With one out, Luke Stevenson struck out, and Gallaher followed with a flyout to left to end the game.

There will be a winner-take-all game on Monday night at Boshamer Stadium, as the UNC baseball program will look to keep its season alive and advance to the Super Regionals. First pitch at the Bosh is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST.