DeCaro Dazzles as UNC Baseball Beats East Carolina in Series Opener

Jason DeCaro threw a complete-game shutout and the UNC lineup banged out 12 hits as the Diamond Heels rolled past East Carolina 10-0 in Greenville Friday night. The game was ended after eight innings via the run rule.

Carolina provided DeCaro with some early run support thanks to solo home runs from Erik Paulsen and Cooper Nicholson in the second and third innings. A pair of RBIs from Gavin Gallaher in the fourth doubled the UNC lead to 4-0, and Carolina continued to pour it on with four runs in the fifth and two in the eighth.

That was more than enough for DeCaro, who went all eight innings while allowing just six total baserunners and striking out seven Pirates. It was the longest start of his collegiate career. DeCaro outdueled ECU ace Ethan Norby, who lasted only four innings and was charged with the loss.

Every Carolina hitter got at least one hit off Norby, with Paulsen, Nicholson and catcher Macon Winslow each recording two. Nicholson drove in three runs and scored three of his own from the No. 9 spot in head coach Scott Forbes’ lineup, while Winslow’s 2-for-4 night pushed his batting average to .350.

With the win, UNC is now 6-0 on the young season. The Diamond Heels will be back in action Saturday in the second game of the series with the Pirates, which will be played at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

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