The Diamond Heels picked a heck of a way to close out their homestand.

Just two days after being swept by Boston College, Carolina left no doubt against visiting UNC-Wilmington, pounding the Seahawks to the tune of an 18-2 final. It’s the most runs UNC has scored in a single game all season.

Carolina actually trailed after the top of the first inning, but ensured that deficit didn’t last long. The Tar Heels scored five times in the bottom of the first, with Mac Horvath and Alberto Osuna each going deep. It was just the beginning of a career night for Horvath, who amassed eight runs batted in and scored three runs himself. He and Jackson Van De Brake each finished with three hits.

Surprisingly, Carolina didn’t rely on the long ball to score its runs. Horvath hit another in the second, but no Tar Heel left the yard for the rest of the night. Instead, Carolina relied on small ball. A six-run fourth inning saw runs score by way of singles, a double and a wild pitch. UNC added three more in the sixth on a pair of singles (one by Horvath).

All that run support was more than enough for six Carolina pitchers. Dalton Pence started and earned his third win, and Max Carlson adjusted nicely to his new role in the bullpen by tossing two one-hit innings. Ben Peterson, Will Sandy, Justin Szestowicki and Kyle Percival combined to allow just one hit over the final five frames.

The win moves Carolina to 26-15 on the season heading into a road trip to Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels are looking to improve upon their 9-10 mark in conference play, though they are 6-3 in true road environments.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

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