The UNC baseball team delivered the first signature win for new head coach Scott Forbes on Thursday at Boshamer Stadium, holding on for a 3-2 victory over No. 2 Virginia.

Justice Thompson–who had three hits, two RBIs and a home run in the game–made an outstanding, leaping catch at the wall in the ninth inning on a potential game-tying home run by Virginia.

UNC (5-0, 1-0 ACC) then sealed the victory one batter later when Connor Ollio recorded the final out and earned his second save of the young season.

It was the ACC opener for both teams, while also providing a bit of history with the first all-black umpiring crew in either an NCAA Power Five conference or Major League Baseball.

Thompson’s RBI single in the first inning gave UNC an early lead, which was then doubled in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Johnny Castognozzi.

In the sixth inning, Thompson added a solo home run of his own to give the Tar Heels a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Virginia (3-2, 0-1 ACC) went scoreless over the first seven innings against UNC starting pitcher Austin Love, but clawed back for two runs in the top of the eighth before Love was replaced in favor of the bullpen.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels look to win their sixth straight game to open the season on Friday against Virginia, with first pitch set for 3:30 p.m.

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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