GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro scored three runs in the first inning, but couldn't hold onto the lead as No. 19 North Carolina rallied for three runs in the top of the eighth to defeat the Spartans, 4-3, in front of 1,333 fans on Wednesday evening at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
UNCG (11-9) got six strong innings out of start Colby Hyatt as he scattered seven hits and allowed just one run in the no decision. Reliever Warren Slack picked up the loss after allowing one unearned run on two hits in two innings of work.
UNC pitcher Michael Morin moved to 3-0 on the year after tossing 1 1/3 innings of relief and allowing just one hit, while striking out three. Greg Holt came in to close out the final 1 1/3 innings to pick up his second save of the year.
The Tar Heels were led by Jesse Wierzbicki who went 2-3 with an RBI and run scored and Dillon Hazlett went 3-4 for the visitors as well. Ed Jayjack, Lloyd Enzor and Zach Leach each knocked in a run for the Spartans as six Spartans recorded a hit.
The Spartans started the game off with a bang as they jumped on UNC starter Garrett Davis for three early runs. Chris Barker led off the game by reaching on an error before advancing to second on a walk to Harry Slade. Corey Overholtzer was able to reach on a bunt down the third base line to load the bases.
Jayjack then hit a ball to deep center field that allowed Barker to easily tag up and score to give UNCG the early 1-0 lead. Enzor then hit a chopper up the middle to reach on a fielder's choice that let Slade score from third. Ray Quinones then hit a single through the right side that allowed Enzor to move to second. Leach followed with a single of his own that score Enzor and put the Spartans ahead, 3-0.
The score would stay that way until the top of the fifth inning when the Tar Heels finally got on the board. Tommy Coyle drew a two-out walk before Brian Goodwin delivered a triple to the gap in right center that allowed Coyle to come all the way around and make it a 3-1 contest.
The Tar Heels threatened again in the top of the seventh with runners on first and second with two outs, but Barker made a diving catch in left center on a ball hit by Chaz Frank to save a run.
Wierzbicki started the UNC rally in the top of the eighth as he took a 1-1 pitch over the wall just inside the left field foul pole to pull the Tar Heels within 3-2.
Seth Baldwin then drew an eight-pitch walk and Ryan Graepel followed with a single to left field to put runners on the corners. Baldwin then scored on a wild pitch that allowed Graepel to advance to second to tie the game at three.
After a Tar Heel strikeout, Hazlett singled through the left side, which moved Graepel over to third base. Ben Bunting then reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Spartans that allowed Graepel to come in from third and give UNC a 4-3 lead.
UNCG was able to put runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth, but the Tar Heels induced an inning-ending fly out to right center to end the Spartan threat.
UNCG will have its first weekend road trip of the season as the Spartans travel to Georgia Southern this weekend for a three-game series beginning on Friday night at 7 p.m.
AGATE
North Carolina 4, UNC Greensboro 3
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North Carolina...... 000 010 030 - 4 11 2 (16-6)
UNC Greensboro...... 300 000 000 - 3 6 3 (11-9)
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Pitchers: North Carolina - Garrett Davis; Benard, Z(5); Chris Munnelly(5); R.C. Orlan(7); Michael Morin(7); Greg Holt(8) and Jacob Stallings; Jesse Wierzbicki. UNC Greensboro - Colby Hyatt; Wes McBride(7); Tyler Hollstegge(7); Matt Parish(8); Warren Slack(8) and Zach Leach.
Win-Michael Morin(3-0) Save-Greg Holt(2) Loss-Warren Slack(1-4) T-3:23 A-1333
HR NC - Jesse Wierzbicki.
Weather: 70 and sunny
Benard, Z faced 1 batter in the 5th.
McBride faced 1 batter in the 7th.
Orlan, R faced 1 batter in the 7th.
Parish faced 2 batters in the 8th.
- UNCG -
