After scoring just four combined runs in the first two games of their series against Duke, the Diamond Heels broke out of their offensive slump with a 22-5, seven-inning win against the Blue Devils Saturday to clinch the series victory. The 22 runs were the program’s most in a single game since 2010 and its most against an ACC team since 2000.

On the mound, Carolina elevated Caden Glauber into the weekend rotation for the first time, but the freshman allowed the Blue Devils a run in the first as Duke took a 1-0 lead. UNC went ahead in the third, as a Gavin Gallaher triple scored two runs and an Owen Hull double brought Gallaher home from third base.

After Duke evened the score in the bottom of the inning, Carolina answered in a big way, scoring seven runs in the fourth. A hit batsman and two singles loaded the bases with one out, setting the stage for Jake Schaffner and Gallaher to drive in three runs on a pair of singles. They would then both come home on a three-run blast to the opposite field from Hull, giving UNC a 9-3 lead.

Colin Hynek would draw a bases-loaded walk to drive home the inning’s seventh run, but UNC was far from done on the day. The Carolina offense would score at least two runs in each of the game’s final three innings, including sixth in the top of the seventh to all but ensure a run-rule win.

In total, the UNC offense banged out 18 total hits, drew nine walks and were hit by six Duke pitches. Schaffner, Gallaher and Hull finished their days a combined 10-for-14 with 13 RBI and four extra-base hits, including Hull’s home run. Ironically, it was the only home run of the day for UNC.

Glauber only lasted four innings, but still earned his fourth win of the season because of the shortened game. Folger Boaz, Cameron Padgett and Jake Cackovic also appeared for UNC.

Carolina is now 36-8-1 overall and 17-7 in ACC play, having won seven consecutive series since dropping its first in conference play against Virginia. Up next, UNC will welcome No. 9 Coastal Carolina – last season’s national runners-up – to Chapel Hill for a high-powered midweek matchup Tuesday at 7 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter


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