UNC Baseball Falls to Georgia Tech in Wild Slugfest

In a game which saw 27 runs, 26 hits and three errors combined between the two teams, it was the Diamond Heels who ultimately fell short on a back-and-forth Friday night at Boshamer Stadium. Carolina seemed to have an answer for every Georgia Tech salvo until the late innings, and fell for the 10th time in 13 games, 15-12.

We go again tomorrow @ 2 p.m.#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/Mf9a71faxa

— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 16, 2022

A flurry of scoring had the Yellow Jackets leading 11-10 after six innings. Tech scored three runs in the top of the first, only to see their lead evaporate moments later. Carolina scored four in their half of the inning, the last three coming on left fielder Mikey Madej’s first home run of the season. Tech took the lead back with a two-run triple in the top of the second, but Carolina once again answered in kind with a two-run blast from Angel Zarate.

The Jackets scored three more in the top of the fourth to lead 8-6, and this time held that lead as UNC only scratched across one run in its half of the inning. The lead expanded to 11-7 on a three-run home run in the top of the sixth, but the Tar Heels got all three of those runs back in the bottom of the frame on home runs by Hunter Stokely and Mac Horvath.

At 11-10, it was anyone’s ballgame for the final three innings, and Georgia Tech took control with three runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to take the biggest lead of the game at 15-10. Carolina threatened in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two on a single from Danny Serretti and bringing the tying run to the plate with two outs, but mighty Alberto Osuna struck out on a 3-2 pitch to end the game and send UNC to yet another stinging loss.

The result wasted terrific days at the plate from Zarate and Horvath, who combined to bat 6-10 with five RBIs at the top of the Carolina order. Unfortunately, seven of UNC’s eight pitchers used on the night gave up at least one run, with Kyle Mott taking the loss.

It’s the second time in six games UNC has given up at 15 runs, and the ninth straight game the Tar Heels have allowed at least six. Carolina still sits at 21-13 overall due to its strong start to the season, but are now just 7-9 in ACC play and have lost two straight home games. The team will try to get back on track Saturday in game two against the Yellow Jackets. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., weather permitting.

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

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UNC Baseball Falls to Georgia Tech in Wild Slugfest

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