A split of a Sunday doubleheader at Notre Dame was enough for the Diamond Heels to clinch their three-game weekend series with the Fighting Irish. Carolina won Friday’s opener before Saturday’s game was postponed, necessitating the twin billing on Sunday.

A career-high eight-inning outing from starting pitcher Connor Bovair carried the Tar Heels in Sunday’s first game. Bovair allowed just three hits and two runs over those eight innings while striking out eight. His brilliance allowed the Tar Heels to edge in front in the top of the fifth, as an RBI double from Patrick Alvarez and an RBI single from Colby Wilkerson pushed the first two UNC runs across.

It was the second highlight of the day for Alvarez, who earlier in the game kept Notre Dame off the scoreboard in spectacular fashion. On a long fly ball to left field, Alvarez leapt at the wall, bobbled the ball in the air but caught it on his way back to the turf.

UNC’s lead increased to 3-0 in the top of the sixth on Jackson Van De Brake’s seventh home run of the season. The junior college transfer would be back at it in the ninth, scoring two more runs on an RBI single. Those runs provided critical insurance for Carolina, as its lead had been cut to 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh. With a three-run cushion, Kevin Eaise shut down the Irish in the ninth to secure the 5-2 win.

But Carolina wouldn’t be able to make a clean getaway from South Bend, falling to Notre Dame 9-1 in the second game of the doubleheader. Starter Jake Knapp was roughed up early and often, allowing a pair of runs in the first and four more in the third and taking his first loss of the season. The Irish scored three more runs in the fifth against Will Sandy to truly blow it open. Carolina’s only run came on an eighth-inning solo shot from Vance Honeycutt.

The series win in South Bend leaves Carolina at 20-8 on the season and 6-4 in conference play. Its next game is the annual showdown in Charlotte with No. 9 South Carolina, which is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Truist Park.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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