The incredible rise of UNC sophomore outfielder Justice Thompson continued on Saturday, as he stole home in the bottom of the fourth inning on Saturday at Boshamer Stadium for what turned out to be the game-winning run in a 2-1 victory for the Tar Heels over No. 2 Virginia.

Thompson accounted for both of UNC’s runs on Saturday in a game where neither team could get much going offensively.

The 6-foot-4-inch centerfielder opened the bottom of the second inning with a lead-off double, which would be one of just four hits the Tar Heels (6-0, 2-0 ACC) recorded all day. He would go on to score thanks to an RBI single from Johnny Castognozzi.

In the fourth inning, Thompson led off the frame with a walk before reaching third base on a single by catcher Tomas Frick. Next, with two outs, he became the first Tar Heel to steal home since former first-round MLB Draft choice Logan Warmoth accomplished the rare feat back in May of 2017.

This came just one day after Thompson–a transfer from Northwest Florida State College–made his ACC debut with three hits, a home run, a stolen base and a pair of acrobatic outfield catches in another close Tar Heel victory.

On the mound, freshman Max Carlson delivered 5.1 solid innings in just his second career start–holding Virginia (3-3, 0-2 ACC) scoreless until the sixth inning.

Reliever Nik Pry finished out the game with seven strikeouts over the final 3.2 innings to keep UNC undefeated in the first season under new head coach Scott Forbes.

Up Next:

UNC will go for the series sweep on Sunday, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.

 

 

 

Photo via Joe Bray (UNC Athletics)

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