Back into the Baseball America top 25 poll, the #23 UNC baseball team enters the final two games of what was a seven game home-stand on Tuesday night, as they put their 22-14 record on the line against the High Point Panthers, who come into the game at 17-17 so far in 2015.
The Tar Heels went 4-1 last week at Boshamer Stadium, with a huge series win against their arch-rivals, the NC State Wolfpack, as well as a revenge victory against #18 Coastal Carolina last Tuesday. Those victories came sandwiched around Wednesday’s win against a tough Liberty team, and were enough to get UNC back into national recognition.
Zac Gallen’s complete game victory against the Wolfpack last Friday was the biggest story of the weekend, but the emergence of sophomore Joe Dudek at first base may be the story to keep an eye on during the stretch run, as the New Jersey native went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI in Sunday’s series finale– likely cementing his spot as a full-time starter in the process.
Joe Dudek waits for his pitch against NC State. (UNC Athletics)
For the season, Dudek has started just 12 games, but has played in 22 of the team’s 36–hitting for an average of .342, which is good enough for second on the team behind Brian Miller (.343). On top of that, Dudek has proven to be one of the more powerful bats in Coach Mike Fox’s dugout, leading the team with a .632 slugging percentage, more than 100 points higher than the next man on the list, catcher Korey Dunbar (.529).
High Point, meanwhile, is coming off a series loss to the same Coastal Carolina team defeated by the Tar Heels last week. The Panthers are led on offense by outfielder Josh Greene, who has five home runs and is one of two full-time Panther starters hitting above .300.
First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 6 p.m, with starting pitchers yet to be announced.
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