Three takeaways from UNC baseball's weekend sweep over Florida State

Another weekend, another series win for North Carolina baseball.

The No. 8 Tar Heels swept No. 10 Florida State in Tallahassee, a place they’ve historically struggled in, to win their fourth series in as many tries against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents.

UNC (22-6, 9-3) clinched the series victory with a dramatic 5-2 extra-innings win Saturday that was spearheaded by a game-tying RBI single by first-year pinch-hitter Michael Busch in the ninth inning, which also prevented the Tar Heels from being held hitless.

A day later, Busch once again came off the bench and provided the heroics for the Tar Heels, hitting the go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the ninth of a 9-7 victory.

The Tar Heels opened the series with a 3-1 win Friday behind another strong outing from junior pitcher J.B. Bukauskas.

Here are three takeaways from UNC’s performance against the Seminoles.

Busch makes most of opportunities

This is a weekend Busch will cherish forever.

The Tar Heels earned their first ever sweep in Tallahassee and Busch, an unlikely hero, was the man largely responsible for that.

As if his game-extending RBI single Saturday night – the Tar Heels’ first hit all game – wasn’t enough, Busch hammered a pitch from FSU sophomore pitcher Chase Haney well beyond the fence in right-center field at Dick Howser Stadium.

Not bad for a guy who was hitting .161 coming into the weekend.

Bukauskas and Dalatri remain impressive

Bukauskas, one of the top pitching prospects in the country, and first-year Gianluca Dalatri, who is still adjusting to the college game, entered the season with very different expectations.

Nonetheless, both players have consistently pitched well for the Tar Heels.

As many expected, Bukauskas has dominated like the ace many expected him to be, while Dalatri has somewhat surprisingly exhibited poise, precision and durability on the bump.

The duo stayed in top-form against FSU.

Facing one of the top-scoring lineups in the nation, Bukauskas allowed only one run over seven innings Friday.

And while he didn’t earn the win, Dalatri kept his team afloat during game two of the series, while his hitters failed to support him. He went 6.2 innings, giving up two runs.

Both Bukauskas and Dalatri have been superb for the Tar Heels. The latter leads the conference in innings pitched with 48.1 and Bukauskas trails right behind him with 47.

Relievers shine

UNC’s bullpen has been one of its strengths in 2017 and the Tar Heel relievers played a key role against FSU.

Five different relievers combined to throw 13.2 innings in three games against the Seminoles, giving up only one earned run and striking out 11 batters.

Junior Jason Morgan entered Sunday with UNC down four runs in the second inning, but stopped the bleeding there. Able to work around five walks, he went 4.1 innings and was responsible for only one run.

Redshirt first-year Josh Hiatt picked his tenth save of the season Friday, and also earned his first win Saturday after throwing 2.2 scoreless innings.

@brennan_doherty

sports@dailytarheel.com