The Diamond Heels snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday evening and avenged a loss from earlier in the season in the process, defeating visiting Liberty, 8-1. The Flames had beaten Carolina, 1-0, in March.
Carolina broke a scoreless tie and broke the game open all at once in the bottom of the second inning, plating five runs to take a lead the team wouldn’t relinquish. Impressively, the Tar Heels scored all five of those runs without the long ball, instead relying on three RBI singles from Max Riemer, Mikey Madej and Angel Zarate, as well as a wild pitch.
But Carolina fans wouldn’t have to wait long to see some fireworks, as Mac Horvath and Johnny Castagnozzi each sent balls over the wall in fourth and fifth innings, respectively. Horvath’s home run was his 10th of the season, tying him with Vance Honeycutt for second on the team. Alberto Osuna leads Carolina with 13.
Max Carlson got the start on the mound for the Tar Heels, but it was lefty Brandon Schaeffer who picked up his fourth win of the season by tossing 4.1 innings of shutout relief, sitting down 13 of the 16 batters he faced. Davis Palermo went the final 1.2 innings to seal the win.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Carolina, and gave the team a morale boost heading into the spring exam break. UNC won’t have a series this weekend, and will next take the field Tuesday night in Boshamer Stadium against Charlotte.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati
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