The UNC baseball program had the perfect midweek game to prepare for their weekend clash against Duke. The Diamond Heels won last weekend's series against Miami, but only scored eight total runs in three games, winning the first two, and losing the third 4-2. North Carolina's pitching, a strength all season, was dialed in, but to keep Carolina on an upward trajectory, the bats needed to step up.
Enter Gardner-Webb. The Bulldogs gave up 10 hits and compounded this leniency with some baffling errors in left field that let two runs get through. First baseman Hunter Stokely raked a homer and four RBIs, while designated hitter Sam Angelo added another home run and three RBIs.
More impressive than the bats was UNC's three pitching arms. Starter Folger Boaz went for three innings of no-hit ball, giving up a run in the second inning thanks to two errors, but finishing strong with a three-up, three-down third inning. Boaz finished his cameo with four strikeouts and no hits.
Next up was Olin Johnson, who threw the next three innings to officially pick up the win. He faced the next nine batters, walking one and fanning two, but sound defense kept the Diamond Heels ticking along. Camron Seagraves closed out the game, striking out Gardner-Webb's last two batters.
A ten-run lead in the bottom of the seventh was enough to mercy rule the Bulldogs and get everyone home in time to finish their homework.
North Carolina's offensive spark was lit just in time to face a Duke team that is higher in the ACC standings but not ranked. The Blue Devils are in good form, sweeping Virginia in Charlottesville, beating East Carolina, and then taking two of three from NC State this past weekend. Duke also beat their midweek cupcake Davidson 12-0. If you can believe it, UNC and Duke seem to be running parallel tracks.
It will be a huge series this weekend at Boshamer Stadium. The Diamond Heels will have an opportunity to leapfrog Duke in the ACC standings, further solidify their place in college baseball's hierarchy, and make their case for hosting a regional and super-regional. There's plenty at stake, as if beating Duke wasn't enough motivation.