The North Carolina baseball team replicated its winning effort from Friday in Saturday’s 7-1 win over N.C. State.
What happened?
Just like Friday, the Wolfpack managed to get on the board first. Brock Deatherage’s single to right field brought home Brett Kinneman in the top of the second inning.
After the quick start, though, N.C. State couldn’t get anything going offensively.
In the bottom of the second, the Tar Heels responded, stringing together a hit and two walks to load the bases with only one out. Despite a prime opportunity, North Carolina could only cash in one run in the form of Brandon Martorano’s sacrifice fly.
The score remained 1-1 through three full innings until the Tar Heels were able to break through in the bottom of the sixth. A Brandon Riley triple down the right field line brought home Kyle Datres, who was already in scoring position after leading off the inning with a double.
In the same inning, a dropped fly ball advanced Riley home and allowed Tyler Lynn to reach base. Two batters later, Michael Busch singled through the 3-4 gap to bring Lynn home and push the Tar Heels’ lead to 4-1.
The next time the Tar Heels stepped into the batter’s box, they produced again. Ashton McGee doubled and benefited from another Pitarra error that allowed him to advance to third. After a wild pitch, McGee was able to advance home.
More innings, more runs. After two hits, a sacrifice bunt and a walk, the Tar Heels loaded the bases for a second time in the bottom of the eighth inning. Logan Warmoth — who’d gone 0-4 up until that point after a 4-4 performance Friday — singled to drive in two more runs and cap off another successful offensive performance for the team.
