Seven shutout innings from starting pitcher Jason DeCaro and timely hitting from Luke Stevenson and Hunter Stokely helped the Diamond Heels win 6-0 at Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon and clinch the weekend series against the Panthers. It’s the sixth straight series victory for UNC.
Carolina needed every bit of DeCaro’s performance, as the game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning. Stevenson finally broke the deadlock with a sacrifice fly to score Kane Kepley, who had doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third base on a groundout.
UNC got some breathing room in the next inning, loading the bases with one out for Stevenson, who singled to bring in the game’s second run. After a strikeout, Hunter Stokely stepped to the plate with two outs and worked a 3-2 count. The first baseman then slapped a single into left field to score two runners, and the throw from the outfield landed in the third-base dugout, advancing Stokely to second and bringing the third runner to the plate. Stokely would add another RBI with a single in the ninth.
DeCaro struck out three Panthers and allowed just four hits through his seven innings of work, earning his sixth win of the season. Ryan Lynch entered in the bottom of the eighth and recorded the game’s final six outs.
The win improves the Diamond Heels to 33-10 overall and 15-9 in ACC play. UNC will return to Boshamer Stadium for a pair of midweek games against George Mason on Tuesday at 4 p.m. and Queens on Wednesday at 6 p.m. UNC will not play during the weekend.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini
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