The Daily Tar Heel
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893.
Thursday, March 28, 2024 Newsletters Latest print issue

We keep you informed.

Help us keep going. Donate Today.
The Daily Tar Heel

Manshack Debuts With `W'

The Tar Heels scored six runs in the first, and Scott Manshack pitched six strong innings in his collegiate debut as UNC beat Coastal Carolina 9-4 at Boshamer Stadium.

"Having a six-run lead really helps out there," Manshack said. "(You) just have to go out there and do your job. All you got to do is throw strikes."

For the most part, Manshack seemed completely under control on the mound. He struck out the first batter who faced him, center fielder Ryan McGraw, with a 2-2 outside fastball that caught McGraw looking.

Although Manshack gave up a two-out walk to Adam Keim followed by a single to Jake Ellifritz, Manshack (1-0) responded by getting Justin Owens to ground to second, ending the first.

That was the only thing even closely resembling a jam that the righthander would get himself into. Not that he needed his best stuff Tuesday.

UNC's Adam Greenberg led off the bottom half of the first with a double, and Russ Adams followed with a run-scoring single through the hole on the right side. Scott Farrell doubled, and Ryan Blake was then hit by a pitch for the first of two times on the afternoon. Jason Howell walked, scoring Adams.

Freshman outfielder Ralph Roberts then drove a 1-2 curveball up the middle, driving home the third and fourth runs of his short career.

"We just wanted to come out and take advantage of their mistakes and score some runs," Roberts said. "And I was just trying to come through and get a hit."

Roberts wasn't the only one putting bat on ball. The Tar Heels (3-0) sent 11 men to the plate in the first. Chanticleer starter Scott Sturkie (1-2) lasted only that inning, throwing 32 pitches, giving up five hits and five earned runs, while walking two.

Then Manshack took over. He didn't get ahead of many batters -- only nine of the 26 Chants who faced him saw first-pitch strikes -- but he scattered just seven hits through six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out four.

"Scott was doing a nice job keeping them off-balance," Fox said. "Once you get that lead, you want to keep them at bay, make them rally at the end."

The Chants threatened in the seventh, scoring twice off of Jason King, who didn't retire either of the batters he faced. After Luke Ullman walked, McGraw reached on a King throwing error.

But Howell, a senior transfer, relieved King, and after allowing the two inherited runners to score -- one on a wild pitch and one during a double play

To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.