Despite managing only three hits on the night, the Diamond Heels picked up their first road win over a ranked team Wednesday night in Greenville, defeating No. 14 East Carolina 2-1.

Only one Tar Heel reached base through the first three innings, but Vance Honeycutt broke the offensive silence in the top of the fourth with his 12th home run of the season. The 1-0 Carolina lead only lasted until the bottom of the inning, when the Pirates scratched a run across against starter Connor Bovair.

The Tar Heels broke the tie in the sixth, using a leadoff walk, an error and a single to load the bases with nobody out for Hunter Stokely. A fielder’s choice from Stokely was all that was needed to score Jackson Van De Brake from third base, and Carolina had the lead again.

Unlike UNC’s previous two games against the Pirates this season, the late Tar Heel lead would hold up. Dalton Pence and Max Carlson combined to allow just two baserunners over the final four innings, with Pence picking up his fourth win and Carlson his first save of the season. Carlson appears to have adapted well to his new role in the bullpen, as the former No. 1 starter twirled three no-hit innings with only one walk to slam the door on the Pirates.

The win moves Carolina to 29-17 on the season entering the exam break. The Tar Heels won’t play a series this weekend for the first time all season, but will be back in action at Boshamer Stadium on May 9 at 6 p.m. against Gardner-Webb.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

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