Oops, they did it again.
For the second time in three days, the Diamond Heels’ bullpen spoiled a strong start and cost the team the game against East Carolina. This time, 5.2 innings from starter Connor Bovair went to waste when the Pirates scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning en route to a 6-5 win.
Bovair had allowed just two runs on three hits in his start, striking out six and leaving in line for a win after 81 pitches. Nelson Berkwich recorded the last out of the sixth, but allowed two runners to reach in the top of the seventh. Justin Szestowicki relieved Berkwich but allowed four runs to score on three straight hits. The last two of those runs, which gave the Pirates a 6-5 lead, were charged to Szestowicki and hung him with the loss.
Like Friday night’s game in Greenville, UNC threatened to turn the game around in its final at-bats. The first two batters reached in the bottom of the ninth on an error and a hit batsman, but two fly outs and a groundout stranded both men and dealt Carolina another tough loss. It’s already the Diamond Heels’ second loss at Boshamer Stadium this season.
Vance Honeycutt hit his first home run of the season in the loss, and Tomas Frick recorded three hits and was a triple short of the cycle. Mac Horvath also homered and now leads the team with four long balls on the young season.
Carolina will stay at Boshamer Stadium this week, as old foes VCU will visit Chapel Hill for a two-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Diamond Heels and Rams faced off in three memorable games in last summer’s NCAA Tournament, with Carolina winning two out of three to advance to the Super Regionals.
Featured image via Aaron Fitt on Twitter
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