A go-ahead solo home run from Vance Honeycutt in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Diamond Heels a 2-1 lead over No. 11 East Carolina they would not relinquish, as Carolina took the opening game of a three-game series with the Pirates. It’s also the 3,000th win in program history.

Honeycutt’s blast was the loudest hit of a quiet night at the plate for both sides. ECU and UNC combined for just 13 hits, and the Tar Heels struck out 13 times. Pirates starting pitcher Trey Yesavage and Carolina’s Folger Boaz each put together strong starts, with Boaz allowing just one run through 4.2 innings and Yesavage striking out 11 batters in six innings.

Yesavage’s only blemish came in the second inning, when doubles by Luke Stevenson and Alex Madera brought in the first Tar Heel run. ECU tied the game in the top of the fifth, using back-to-back singles and a double to score the Pirates’ only run of the night.

After that, both bullpens shined. Neither ECU nor Carolina moved a runner past second base from the bottom of the fifth until Honeycutt stepped to the plate in the eighth. His solo shot shook him out of what had been a rough day at the plate, as the star center fielder had gone 0-3 with two strikeouts. Honeycutt now has half of Carolina’s eight home runs this season.

Matt Poston shut the door on the Pirates with a scoreless ninth, securing a 5-0 start for the Tar Heels for the third time in four seasons under head coach Scott Forbes. Saturday’s second game of the series with ECU will be played in Fayetteville, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

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 newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Baseball Beats Pittsburgh, Wins 6th Straight Weekend Series
Seven shutout innings from starting pitcher Jason DeCaro and timely hitting from Luke Stevenson and Hunter Stokely helped the Diamond Heels win 6-0 at Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon and clinch the weekend series against the Panthers. It’s the sixth straight series victory for UNC. Make that 𝙨𝙞𝙭 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 🔥#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/kOQMCLnw3n — Carolina Baseball […]
UNC Baseball Drops Second Game of Weekend Series at Pittsburgh
The Diamond Heels couldn’t overcome an early deficit at Pittsburgh Saturday, as UNC fell 4-2 in the second game of a three-game series with the Panthers. Pitt struck early against UNC starter Aidan Haugh, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after each of the first four Panther batters reached base. […]
UNC Baseball Rallies from Early Deficit, Clinches Series at Virginia Tech
A towering home run from Jackson Van De Brake and strong performances on the mound helped the Diamond Heels erase an early 2-0 hole and beat Virginia Tech 7-4 in Blacksburg Sunday. The win clinches the weekend series for UNC. Cooked some turkey for Easter this year. #GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/hkL62CKppX — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) […]
UNC Baseball Drops 2nd Game of Weekend Series at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech scored five runs against UNC starter Aidan Haugh in the first inning Saturday, putting the Diamond Heels in a hole they couldn’t climb out of in a 10-6 loss. The Hokies’ opening salvo included three home runs in the span of four batters, and their five runs in the first inning alone were […]
Bats Power UNC Baseball to Win at Virginia Tech in Series Opener
The Diamond Heels banged out 13 hits and nine runs at Virginia Tech Friday night, and it was enough to beat the Hokies 9-6 in the first game of a three-game series. STOKED to take game 1️⃣!!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/iXXR2WhmAB — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 19, 2025 UNC never trailed after going ahead 1-0 on […]
UNC Baseball Completes 3-Game Sweep of Wake Forest
Jason DeCaro carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and freshman Lee Sowers came up clutch in the seventh to help the Diamond Heels beat Wake Forest 3-2 and complete a three-game sweep of the Demon Deacons at Boshamer Stadium Sunday afternoon. Brought the Bosh brooms baby 🧹🧹🧹#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/vmtu1hOpYE — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) […]
UNC Baseball Bludgeons Wake Forest Again for 2nd Straight Run-Rule Win
The Diamond Heels used another offensive avalanche to bury visiting Wake Forest early and win via the 10-run rule for the second straight day Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium, pummeling the Demon Deacons 17-1 in a game ended after seven innings. Don't wake us up 🤩 Dream day for Carolina secures the series and our […]
UNC Baseball Dominates Wake Forest in Series Opener, Wins Via Run Rule
After sitting through a rain-induced postponement of what should have been the series opener Thursday night, the Diamond Heels made the 24-hour wait pay off. UNC dominated visiting Wake Forest in the first game of a critical three-game series at Boshamer Stadium Friday night, using a pair of big innings to beat the Demon Deacons […]
Home Run Derby Helps UNC Baseball Win at Elon
In a game featuring 21 total hits and 22 total runs, the Diamond Heels clubbed four home runs to win 12-10 at Elon Tuesday night. The Bosh Bombers win the day! 💣#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/ostWGABZ82 — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 9, 2025 Gavin Gallaher and Tyson Bass accounted for all four of the UNC long […]
UNC Baseball Outlasts Duke in Extra Innings, Wins Weekend Series
A Duke error in the bottom of the 14th inning helped the Diamond Heels walk off the Blue Devils 8-7 in the longest game in the history of the rivalry. 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐔𝐊𝐄!! 𝐖𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍!!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/IL7kpAMQzQ — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 5, 2025 The game went to extra innings thanks to a ninth-inning […]
›