The Diamond Heels scored eight runs across the final four innings to rally past East Carolina at Boshamer Stadium Saturday. The 11-6 win clinches the season series against the Pirates, with the third game scheduled for Monday in Greenville.
Luke Stevenson got Carolina off to a flying start at the plate, clubbing the team’s first home run of 2025 over the right field fence in the bottom of the first inning to give UNC an early 3-0 lead. But the Pirates responded with two runs in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth against three different UNC pitchers to take a 5-3 lead.
Hunter Stokely and Jackson Van De Brake drew UNC level in the bottom of the inning before the Pirates nosed in front again with a home run in the sixth. In the bottom of the frame, Tyson Bass tied the game again with a double before Stokely again came through in the clutch, singling to score Bass and give Carolina the lead back. Stokely was at it again in the eighth, singling again to score Bass as part of a four-run inning. After Rom Kellis singled and Van De Brake walked, Gavin Gallager brought Stokely home with a sacrifice fly and Kane Kepley broke the game open with a two-RBI triple.
Folger Boaz worked around a leadoff single in the top of the ninth to close out the UNC victory. Boaz pitched a scoreless 3.1 innings to earn his first win of the season, allowing just two hits and striking out three. Jake Knapp started the game and lasted three innings, while Kyle Percival and Cameron Padgett combined for 2.2.
At the plate, Stokely finished 4-5 with three RBIs and a run scored to improve his season average to .448. Kepley, Stevenson and Bass each finished with multiple hits.
The Diamond Heels are now 6-0 on the season and will look to sweep the Pirates when they visit Greenville on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter
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