The Diamond Heels left 11 men on base on their way to a 3-1 loss at Duke Friday night, evening up the series with the Blue Devils at a game apiece.

Duke capitalized on sloppy UNC defense in the first inning. After Carolina’s Ryan Lynch recorded the game’s first two outs, the next two Blue Devil batters reached before Michael DiMartini launched a high fly ball into right field. Carter French misplayed the ball near the wall, allowing the two baserunners to score. DiMartini would then trot home himself after the throw back into the infield caromed out of play, allowing DiMartini a free pass home from third base. All three runs were unearned, having scored on the two errors.

UNC’s only run came in the eighth inning, when Carolina loaded the bases with two outs on two walks and a hit batsman. Tyler Howe worked a 2-2 count by fouling off five pitches before he himself was hit, driving home Macon Winslow from third. With the go-ahead run on first base, Colin Hynek stepped up and worked a full count, but struck out swinging to end the threat.

It was a common theme for UNC on the night. Carolina stranded at least one man on base in all but one inning, including the top of the ninth after Jake Schaffner doubled with one out but advanced no further.

Friday’s loss is just the second of the season for the Diamond Heels in a true road environment. Carolina is now 35-8-1 on the season and 16-7 in ACC play. The rubber match of the series with the Blue Devils is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. First pitch time was moved up an hour from its original listing of 3 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

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