Caleb Roberts homered twice and drove in five runs, while Austin Love threw six innings without allowing a hit on Friday at Boshamer Stadium — delivering the UNC baseball team an 8-1 victory over James Madison.

The win was the first as a head coach for Scott Forbes, who took over this season after serving the last 20 years at UNC as an assistant under former boss Mike Fox.

Tyler Causey also had a two-run home run for the Tar Heels, who opened up a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.

On the mound, Love pitched like a polished veteran in what was his first career start. The redshirt sophomore tied a career high with nine strikeouts, in addition to keeping James Madison without a hit through all six innings he threw.

James Madison finally got on the board with a run in the top of the ninth inning, but by that point it was too little, too late.

As a result, the Tar Heels were able to seal an impressive victory in their first game under their new coach.

“The biggest thing for me today was how happy I was for our guys,” Forbes said afterwards. “After not playing for so long and being able to see the joy in their eyes was very special. I played and I know how much was taken away from our team. To be able to all be out there together and to see them compete was the biggest thing for me today.”

Up Next:

UNC will look to clinch the series victory over James Madison on Saturday, with first pitch set for 2 p.m.

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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