The Book of Eli: Sutherland Gives UNC Third Straight Walk-Off Win

Hollywood struck again Sunday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.

For the third game in a row, the No. 10 UNC baseball team won in walk-off fashion against the No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys—as Eli Sutherland’s two-run single off reliever Trey Cobb handed the Tar Heels a thrilling 4-3 victory.

Playing at second base in his first start of the season, Sutherland—the smallest player on UNC’s roster—came up huge when it mattered most.

His bloop single up the middle looked like a carbon copy of Saturday’s game-winning hit by first baseman Brian Miller, sneaking just over the head of the Oklahoma State infield.

This has been the scene at Boshamer Stadium all weekend. (Joe Bray/ UNC Athletics)

Now 5-1 to start 2016, more of the Tar Heels’ wins have come by walk-off than any other way—which is why Sutherland was a tough critic grading his team’s celebration on Sunday.

“I’d give it about an eight,” Sutherland said with a smile after the game. “It’s just crazy having three walk-offs [in a row]. That’s pretty rare.

“I actually got hit in the nose earlier,” he continued. “So I had a little bit of a nosebleed from the dogpile.”

The wild finish capped a comeback that saw the Tar Heels fight out of a hole created by Oklahoma State shortstop Donnie Walton’s two-run homer in the top of the first inning—despite getting just five hits all game.

Two of UNC’s hits came from junior center fielder Tyler Ramirez, who said the team had plenty of confidence in one another.

“[We were] never discouraged because we knew our bullpen was gonna keep us in the game,” Ramirez said. “We knew it was gonna be a close game. Just coming in at the end we got our blood flowing and guys got up there and had big at-bats.

“I guess it just worked for us at the end.”

Five Tar Heel relievers combined to keep the Cowboy offense at bay once starter Jason Morgan was removed with one out in the fifth.

Oklahoma State went ahead 3-2 in the inning when Walton scored on a single by teammate Dustin Williams, but were quiet the rest of the way.

Sutherland’s walk-off swing. (Joe Bray/ UNC Athletics)

The Cowboys are now 2-5 in 2016, with four of their losses coming by walk-offs.

UNC and head coach Mike Fox, meanwhile, are on cloud nine after completing a sweep of a ranked opponent for the first time since 2012 when it won three straight at Virginia.

“You hope that carries over to games where [we’re] behind,” Fox said of the momentum created by these entertaining victories. “We’re gonna hit some adversity here. The season is just now getting started.

“It feels like it’s over,” the coach added, chuckling. “It could end today and I’d be perfectly fine probably.”

Up Next:

Now that the tough opening games against ranked opponents are in the rearview mirror, Fox and the Tar Heels set their sights on Winthrop.

The Eagles are slated to visit Chapel Hill on Wednesday, but due to rain in the forecast, that game could be moved to Tuesday.

Game Notes:

Sutherland had a chance to win the game on Saturday, but walked–setting up Miller for the winning hit.
Before this weekend, UNC hadn’t beaten Oklahoma State since 1978. The Tar Heels now own a 4-5 record in the all-time series between the schools.
Freshman phenom Kyle Datres started at third base for UNC on Sunday. He went 0-for-3 but scored both times he reached base (on an error and a HBP).
Donnie Walton, who was First-Team All-Big 12 last year, finished the game 3-for-5, with a double and a single to go with his first-inning home run.

FINAL BOX SCORE

The Book of Eli: Sutherland Gives UNC Third Straight Walk-Off Win

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