The Diamond Heels’ program record 27-game home winning streak came to a halt on Tuesday night, as No. 19 Coastal Carolina defeated UNC 5-4 at Boshamer Stadium.

The Chanticleers scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take an early lead, but Carolina crept back into the game with two solo home runs from Vance Honeycutt and another solo shot from Alberto Osuna. Honeycutt’s long balls moved him into rarified air in Chapel Hill: he’s the only player in program history with at least 50 home runs and at least 50 stolen bases in his collegiate career.

With the score 4-3 entering the bottom of the eighth, Carolina finally pushed the tying run across on a pinch-hit single from Gavin Gallaher, but Coastal answered right back in the top of the ninth, scoring the go-ahead run on a fielding error from first baseman Parks Harber.

The Diamond Heels didn’t go quietly in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with two outs by virtue of two walks and a throwing error on what should’ve been a game-ending ground ball. That brought backup catcher Parker Haskin – only in the game because starter Luke Stevenson was lifted for a pinch runner in the eighth – to the plate. Haskin worked the count to 2-2 but struck out swinging to end the night.

Starting pitcher Olin Johnson lasted just 1.2 innings for Carolina, giving up all four of the early Chanticleer runs. Dalton Pence, Kyle Percival and Matthew Matthijs combined to pitch 6.1 innings of scoreless relief before Matt Poston took over for the ninth. Poston gave up a leadoff walk on four pitches to set up Coastal’s game-winning rally.

The loss drops Carolina to 29-8 overall. The Diamond Heels will be back in action on Thursday for the first of a critical three-game series at NC State in Raleigh. First pitch on Thursday is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

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