CHAPEL HILL – No. 1 UNC leaned on a four-run first inning to outlast James Madison Tuesday at Boshamer Stadium. The Heels took it 9-5 for a final score.

Head Coach Mike Fox called it a “sloppy game” after a lackluster relief pitching performance.

In the first inning, Carolina jumped out to a 4-0 lead after RBI singles by Colin Moran and Parks Jordan – on top of a two-run double by Cody Stubbs.

Freshman Landon Lassiter led the Heels—going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Stubbs also drove in three runs.

Junior left-hander Hobbs Johnson claimed the win— he allowed just one hit and struck out four, while working around five walks. Johnson improves to 4-0 on the year.

But the Dukes would get to the UNC bullpen in the seventh inning when they sent nine players to the plate and Carolina walked four batters.

In the seventh inning, a wild pitch scored for James Madison, tallying 5 scores for the Dukes. But Tate Parrish came on and struck out Matt Tenaglia to end the JMU’s run.

Lassiter pushed the lead back to four when he sent a two-run double to right field, scoring Jordan and Chaz Frank in the bottom of the seventh.

The Heels improved to 24-1 in non-conference action this season and a record of 43-4 overall.

Carolina will host James Madison again Wednesday at 6 p.m.