Jason DeCaro allowed just three hits and one run across 7.2 innings in a 3-1 win for the Diamond Heels at Duke Thursday night.
UNC’s bats struggled themselves for much of the evening, but gave DeCaro just enough run support despite striking out 11 times and managing only three hits against Blue Devil starter Aidan Weaver. Carolina struck first in the third inning after Jake Schaffner singled and stole second and third base, eventually coming home to score on an Owen Hull single.
The 1-0 lead carried over into the sixth, after smart baserunning from Cooper Nicholson put him on second base after he was hit by a pitch. Nicholson advanced to second on a Colin Hynek flyout, then scored on a single from Jadyn Nuñez, who was making just his sixth start of the season.
DeCaro’s only blemish came in his final inning of work, as he retired the first two Duke batters but allowed back-to-back singles. Head coach Scott Forbes lifted DeCaro for Walker McDuffie, but Duke’s lone run would score almost immediately as the Blue Devils’ Michael DiMartini stole third base and came home on an errant throw from catcher Macon Winslow — a Duke transfer. The unearned run was charged to DeCaro.
UNC quickly restored its two-run advantage in the ninth, as Hull picked up his second RBI of the game on a double which scored Gavin Gallaher from first base. McDuffie retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to seal the Carolina win.
Hull finished the night as the only Carolina batter with multiple hits, and his 2-for-4 performance improved his average to a red-hot .390. His 50 RBI and 16 doubles are both most on the team. For DeCaro, his 7.2 innings pitched marked his longest start of ACC play and his longest in any contest since Feb. 20.
Thursday’s win improves UNC to 35-7-1 overall and 16-6 in conference play. The Diamond Heels will look to clinch the series win Friday in the second game of the Duke series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter
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