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.

Madera and Kellis, batting in the seventh and eighth spots in the UNC lineup, finished the night with a combined four hits, six RBIs and four runs scored, pacing a Carolina offense which scored 10 or more runs for the third straight game. Carter French, batting ninth, also finished with a pair of hits, meaning six of UNC’s nine hits came from the bottom three batters.

The scoring began in the bottom of the third, when a Kane Kepley fielder’s choice and a throwing error scored Madera, followed by a Jackson Van De Brake double to score Kepley from first base. After Campbell scored a run in the top of the fifth, UNC restored its two-run edge thanks to a hit batter with the bases loaded.

Kellis began a busy final few innings by golfing a two-run home run – his first in a UNC uniform – over the left-field wall to extend the lead to 5-1.

The former junior college standout was at it again in the seventh, following up a bases-clearing double from Madera with an RBI single. After stealing second base and advancing to third on a groundout, Kellis would score UNC’s 10th run on a wild pitch.

The run support was more than enough for Jason DeCaro, who made his first mid-week start of the season in anticipation of another start against NC State Sunday. DeCaro allowed just one run on five hits while striking out six Campbell batters in five innings, earning his seventh win of the season. Ryan Lynch, Camron Seagraves and Cale Bolton pitched a perfect final four innings to secure the win.

The win is the fourth in a row for the Diamond Heels and improves them to 36-10 overall and 24-5 at home this season. It sets the stage for a critical ACC series this weekend, as No. 16 NC State visits Boshamer Stadium for a three-game series beginning Thursday night. The opening game with the Wolfpack is scheduled for 6 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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