The UNC pitching staff continues to make its case as one of the best in all of America.

Saturday at Boshamer Stadium, the 10th-ranked Tar Heels got just four hits from their offense–all for extra bases–as the bullpen locked down the Miami Hurricanes for a 6-3 win.

Sophomores Brandon Riley and Cody Roberts each homered for UNC (17-5, 6-2 ACC), with reliever Brett Daniels picking up his second win of the year after taking over for Luca Dalatri.

Roberts’ solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning–his first of the season for the Tar Heels–gave head coach Mike Fox’s squad some critical breathing room down the stretch.

The visitors then did their part to help the home side, as Miami’s fourth error of the game allowed the Tar Heels to score their sixth, and final, run of the day.

Dalatri has been stellar all year long in his first season on the mound for UNC, but found trouble in the fifth inning–with Miami scoring all of its runs in the frame.

The Hurricanes (10-13, 3-5 ACC) plated one run against the young New Jersey native, before the Tar Heels turned to the experienced junior in Daniels.

Miami pulled UNC’s lead to just 4-3 against Daniels before he finished out the fifth, however the local product out of Fuquay-Varina settled down over the next three innings before handing the ball off to ACC saves leader Josh Hiatt.

Hiatt then earned his ninth save in 11 chances, as he shut the door by picking up a strikeout and forcing Carl Chester to line into a double play.

The Tar Heels have now won each of their first three ACC series in 2017, while picking up their first series victory over Miami since 2013.

UNC’s success this weekend will only help open up it’s lead atop the ACC Coastal Division, which has typically been won by the Hurricanes in recent years.

Up Next:

Sophomore Cole Aker will make his first career weekend start on Sunday for the Tar Heels, as they go for the series sweep. That game is scheduled to begin at noon.

Game Notes:

  • Junior shortstop Logan Warmoth hit a double in the sixth inning for UNC, extending his reached base streak to a staggering 38 games.
  • Miami has yet to record an extra base hit over the first two games against the Tar Heels.

 

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