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

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
‹
Jake Knapp Dominates as UNC Baseball Wins Series Opener vs. No. 16 NC State
UNC ace Jake Knapp retired 18 straight NC State batters to help the Diamond Heels defeat the No. 16 Wolfpack 8-1 in the first game of a three-game series at Boshamer Stadium Thursday night. Heels start the series 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜💪#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/tuDFCJcaDo — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) May 9, 2025 Knapp’s dominance came after a shaky […]
UNC Baseball Cruises Past Campbell at Boshamer Stadium
Big nights at the plate from Alex Madera and Rom Kellis supported a sparkling effort from UNC’s pitching staff as the Diamond Heels cruised past Campbell 10-1 at Boshamer Stadium Tuesday. Sent 'em back to Nowhere! #GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/FaNDCnPkid — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) May 7, 2025 Madera and Kellis, batting in the seventh and […]
UNC Baseball Earns Run-Rule Win vs. Queens at Boshamer Stadium
The Diamond Heels scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on their way to a 14-3 win against Queens at Boshamer Stadium Wednesday evening. The game ended after a two-run home run from Hunter Stokely in the bottom of the eighth brought the 10-run rule into effect. Heels walk off the week!! […]
UNC Baseball Pulls Away Late, Cruises Past George Mason
The Diamond Heels scored eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break open a tie game and didn’t look back against George Mason Tuesday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium, as UNC beat the Patriots 13-4. It was Carolina’s first completed home game in two weeks, after a home game against Presbyterian last week […]
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 […]
›