The Diamond Heels got their 2024 season off to a flying start on Friday night, defeating Wagner 10-3 at Boshamer Stadium.

Carolina’s sizable contingent of newcomers made their presence felt early and often. On the mound, Folger Boaz (younger brother of former UNC football quarterback Jefferson) got the start as a true freshman and earned the win. Boaz finished with an impressive line of five innings with five hits and just one run allowed. He struck out five Seahawks and walked one. Matt Poston and Cameron Padgett combined for three innings before Aidan Haugh, another newcomer by way of junior college, finished the game off with a scoreless ninth.

Four other members of Carolina’s starting lineup were making their Diamond Heel debuts, including first baseman Parks Harber, a transfer from Georgia. Harber collected three of UNC’s 11 hits, driving in a run and scoring twice himself for a productive day at the dish. Right fielder Anthony Donofrio, catcher Luke Stevenson and second baseman Gavin Gallaher each also recorded hits, and all three scored a run.

There were familiar faces around the park as well, as junior Vance Honeycutt began his third and likely final season in Chapel Hill with a bang. Honeycutt launched his first home run of the year in the bottom of the sixth, part of a six-run inning for Carolina which blew the game open. Honeycutt reached base three times, stole his first base of the season and scored a team-high three runs.

The Diamond Heels will be back in action in the second game of their series with Wagner on Saturday at noon.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter


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