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
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