Star sophomore Luke Stevenson hit a pair of towering home runs – including a go-ahead two-run shot in the top of the eighth inning – to help the Diamond Heels beat South Carolina 13-8 in Charlotte Tuesday night. It’s UNC’s first win against the Gamecocks since 2021.

Stevenson’s first home run came in the top of the third, a solo shot which was part of a three-run rally to help UNC turn a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead. That lead grew to 8-3 after a run in the fourth and three in the sixth, but South Carolina fought back against the UNC bullpen. The Gamecocks scored four runs against Matthew Matthijs and Ryan Lynch in the sixth, then tied the game at 8-8 on an RBI double in the seventh.

That set the stage for Stevenson in the seventh, who stepped up after a walk to Kane Kepley and launched a majestic blast over the right-center field wall to put UNC in front, 10-8.

Tyson Bass and Sam Angelo would add RBIs later in the inning, with Bass also coming around to score on a wild pitch. This time, the UNC bullpen would hold the five-run lead, securing the Carolina victory.

Stevenson’s four RBIs tied a season high for the catcher, while Bass added four RBIs of his own on three hits. Every UNC starter reached base at least one time, forcing South Carolina to burn through 12 pitchers. For UNC, Lynch earned the win out of the bullpen with 2.2 innings of relief. Folger Boaz, whose season-ending arm injury came against South Carolina in Charlotte in 2024, recorded the game’s final five outs.

The win improves UNC to 19-6 overall this season. It’s the team’s first time winning consecutive games since March 3-4. Up next, the Diamond Heels will host Miami in a three-game series at Boshamer Stadium this weekend. First pitch of Friday’s opening game is scheduled for 6 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Mike Buscher

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