The sixth-ranked UNC baseball team snapped its three-game losing streak Saturday evening at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park with a close 5-4 victory over the East Carolina Pirates.
After taking an early 3-0 lead, the Tar Heels (3-3) fell behind in the bottom of the fifth inning when ECU (5-1) managed to drive in four runs against the pitching combination of Tyler Baum and Austin Bergner.
Junior third baseman Kyle Datres tied things up for UNC in the very next inning, however, with a deep blast over the Blue Monster in left field.
A groundout by Ike Freeman in the seventh then allowed Brandon Martorano to score from third base to take the lead–not long after Martorano hit a clutch double with no outs to get the inning going.
From that point on, Tar Heel closer Josh Hiatt showed why he was named a Preseason All-American heading into the year.
ECU put runners in scoring position in each of the final two innings, but Hiatt found a way to escape each time by forcing two double plays–earning his first save of the season.
Sophomore transfer Dallas Tessar ultimately led UNC with three hits in his first start for the team, while Datres and Michael Busch added two apiece.
Busch also continued his hot start with a pair of RBIs in the first and third innings, respectively.
Up Next:
The Tar Heels will host the Pirates at Boshamer Stadium for the series rubber match on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)
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