CHAPEL HILL – No. 1 UNC dropped its first series of the year against Georgia Tech Sunday. The Heels took it to 11 innings in Atlanta, but ultimately fell 9-8.
The series loss is the first since Georgia Tech claimed a 2-1 series win in Chapel Hill last season.
Carolina jumped out to a 7-1 lead after five and a half innings but the Yellow Jackets would fight back with two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to climb within three at 8-5.
In the bottom of the ninth the Heels were three outs away from the series win. But Georgia Tech rallied to force extra innings, and Zane Evans singled home the game-winning run in the 11th inning.
The Tar Heels sent 10 men to the plate in the three-run fourth inning where Chaz Frank, Landon Lassiter and Colin Moran all drove in runs for UNC.
Georgia Tech scored a pair of unearned runs in the sixth inning to creep within four at 7-3.
In the seventh inning, Mott Hyde notched his second home run of the series, sending the Jackets with in three at 8-5.
Freshman Trent Thornton threw for a scoreless eighth inning before issuing a leadoff walk in the ninth.
Tech’s Sam Dove hit a fly ball to left field—Parks Jordan then made a diving catch for the final out of the inning, sending the game to extra innings.
Catcher turned relief pitcher Zane Evans retired the Heels in order in the 11th before delivering the game-winning single in the bottom half.
Carolina looks to bounce back on Tuesday, May 14 when it hosts Appalachian State at 6 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium.
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