Holberton, infield fill in nicely for Michael

In the third inning of UNC’s extra-innings win against Duke on Sunday, Levi Michael fouled a pitch off his left ankle and hobbled around before stepping back into the batter’s box for a strikeout.

It was his second game back from injuring the same ankle on Tuesday, and he didn’t return in the top of the fourth inning.

“I know (his ankle) is still a little sore,” designated hitter Brian Holberton said. “I know he’s working on it. The trainers are helping him.”

While Michael sat out Wednesday and Friday’s games, UNC coach Mike Fox moved second baseman Tommy Coyle to shortstop and Holberton to second base.

“I mean we’re better with Levi at short and Tommy at second — there’s no doubt — but sometimes you’ve got to piece together what you can,” Fox said on Friday.

Those pieces fit together nicely on Sunday. Holberton and Coyle filled in seamlessly, and Fox loved the results he got from both.

For Coyle, the unexpected switch wasn’t difficult because he grew up playing shortstop.

“I take ground balls there during batting practice every day just in case Levi were to get hurt,” Coyle said. “It’s not very hard for me to transfer over, I think it’s easier, personally.”

For Holberton, it was not just his presence on the field which made an impact. He also wedged a slot in the lineup with his batting.

On Friday, he went 3-for-4 with a career-high three RBI. He had four prior to Friday.

The spike in numbers, Holberton said, wasn’t coincidental.

“I think playing the field does have something (to do with it),” Holberton said. “You can stay loose. When you’re playing DH, you’re on the bench and you have to stretch more.”

Fox said with just 14 to 15 position players, his reserves need to know how to play multiple positions. On Friday, he was more than pleased with the way Holberton filled in.

“I mean, we did that the other day and, you know, I just love that kid,” Fox said Friday. “He had the best fall for us, and he’s just patiently waited … I’m not a prognosticator, but as a coach, that’s what you want to see. You want to see those kids rewarded for just being patient.”

Holberton’s batting .355 on the season despite moving back to designated hitter for Saturday and Sunday and hitting a combined 2-for-9 in those games.

“We always also are aware of who we have to bring off the bench, as well,” Fox said on Friday.

“He would be a good option for us to bring off the bench as well, because he’s going to give you a good at-bat.”

Fox had no official update on Michael’s ankle after he fouled a pitch off it, but Holberton will likely be an option Fox continues to utilize either in the infield or a designated hitter.

While injuries are always regrettable, Fox is glad some of his younger reserves are getting game time.

“All these freshman that we’re throwing in there, I mean, they’re learning by experience,” Fox said. “It’s something you can’t coach and teach, you just have to put them out there and let them do.”

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