The Diamond Heels bounced back from an embarrassing midweek loss in a big way Friday night in Louisville, pounding out 13 runs on 17 hits, including nine runs in the first three innings, to take a big road win in the first game of a critical weekend series.

Hitting seventh in the Carolina lineup, designated hitter Alberto Osuna did major damage all night against the Cardinals, batting 4-4 with three runs scored and a whopping six runs batted in. Osuna clubbed two home runs to give him nine on the season. It was all part of a ruthless offensive attack which saw Carolina bash nine extra-base hits, including a leadoff triple from Vance Honeycutt in the top of the second inning. Honeycutt would score on an RBI groundout from Angel Zarate in the next at-bat.

Seven Tar Heels collected at least one RBI, scored a run or got a hit. Carolina led 9-0 after three innings and 13-4 after five, after a Danny Serretti single brought in Honeycutt, who scored his third run of the game. The bats quieted down after that, but it didn’t matter.

Max Carlson got the start on the mound for the Tar Heels, but was pulled after 4.1 innings after giving up five runs. Shawn Rapp came in for one batter before Kyle Mott took over for the next 2.2 innings. While Mott surrendered four runs of his own, he ended up being credited with his sixth win of the season, which leads all Carolina pitchers. Davis Palermo got the final five outs of the game to seal the victory.

The win is Carolina’s first of the season over a ranked opponent, and puts the Tar Heels back over .500 in ACC play at 7-6. It’s also their first win away from Boshamer Stadium since March 20, and breaks a six-losses-in-eight-games slide going back to March 25. The 13 runs scored are the most by the team since March 1.

Carolina will stay in Louisville over the weekend and try to win the series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Joe Bray

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Baseball Releases 2026 Regular Season Schedule
The Diamond Heels announced their 2026 regular season schedule Tuesday. Carolina is coming off a 2025 season which saw it win the ACC Tournament in Durham and reach the Super Regionals in the NCAA Tournament. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫! The 2026 Diamond Heels schedule is here and it is glorious 🔥 📰 | https://t.co/fvngu5xSrp […]
UNC Baseball to Play October Scrimmage vs. NC State at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
The Diamond Heels will play a fall scrimmage against rival NC State at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in October, the program announced Wednesday. The game is scheduled for Thursday, October 16 at 6 p.m. 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐁𝐀𝐏: 𝙵𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙴𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 We're headed back to Durham for a fall faceoff against the Wolfpack! May be a […]
UNC's Home Run Remington Announces 'Retirement' from Baseball Games
After nine seasons of loyal service to the Diamond Heels, UNC’s Athletics Rehabilitative Facility Dog, better known as “Home Run Remington,” has announced his “retirement.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Home Run REMINGTON (@homerunremington) 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢 🩵 Our favorite dawg is ready for the 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 of retirement! Thank you […]
Chansky's Notebook: Draft Crush
UNC joins Michigan and Arizona as the three schools to have at least one athlete picked in the first round of the NFL, NBA and MLB drafts.
2025 MLB Draft Tracker: See Where the Diamond Heels are Headed in the Pros
The 2025 Major League Baseball Draft saw several Diamond Heels get selected. It continues a run of excellence for the UNC baseball program, which has had at least one player selected in every draft since 1978. The first Diamond Heel off the board was catcher Luke Stevenson, who went to the Seattle Mariners with the No. 35 […]
UNC Outfielder Kane Kepley Selected by Chicago Cubs in 2nd Round of MLB Draft
Kane Kepley is headed to the Show. The Chicago Cubs selected Kepley with in the second round with the No. 56 overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft Sunday evening in Atlanta. About to be 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍 𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐄 in the Windy City! Kep is a Cub 🦁🐻#ProHeels pic.twitter.com/IsjxlBfnaa — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) July 14, 2025 Kepley […]
UNC's Luke Stevenson Selected by Seattle Mariners in 1st Round of MLB Draft
The Seattle Mariners selected UNC catcher Luke Stevenson with the No. 35 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft Sunday. Call him 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 😤 Going to be rainin homers up there soon! #ProHeels | #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/YfpM9r2FjJ — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) July 14, 2025 Stevenson, a draft-eligible sophomore, […]
Chansky's Notebook: Growing Pains
Former UNC star Vance Honeycutt signed a $4 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, but he is struggling in the minor leagues.
Check Out the Complete Schedule for UNC's 'ACC Network Takeover' July 8
The ACC Network will feature 24 hours of Tar Heel highlights from the 2024-25 athletic year Tuesday as part of its annual “ACC Network Takeover.” Programming begins at midnight and lasts through 11:59 p.m. Featured games include the women’s basketball team’s win against No. 10 NC State at Carmichael Arena back in February. Those who […]
College Baseball Foundation Names UNC's Jake Knapp National Pitcher of the Year
UNC right-hander Jake Knapp has been named the National Pitcher of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 👏 Jake Knapp is the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿. pic.twitter.com/uFaFnNZAWy — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) June 13, 2025 Knapp missed the entirety of the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the […]
›