The North Carolina baseball team (7-3) lost a neutral site game against Minnesota (5-4), 4-1, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, despite a solid performance from sophomore Aaron Sabato.
What happened?
After Minnesota started the game by sitting down three consecutive UNC batters, the Golden Gophers got the ball rolling early in the batter's box, scoring a first inning run off an RBI single from junior Easton Bertrand.
Despite Sabato hitting a double to start the second inning, the Tar Heels struggled to get on base, with three consecutive outs leading to an end to North Carolina’s first scoring chance of the afternoon. Following Sabato’s double, not a single runner reached base for until the top of the fourth inning, when a Sabato sacrifice fly sent home sophomore Danny Serretti to tie the game at one.
Minnesota separated itself shortly after, scoring two runs on two hits in the bottom of the 5th, taking a 3-1 lead. Following this, North Carolina’s hitting woes would continue, with no runners reaching base in the 4th, 5th or 6th innings.
A home run from Minnesota sophomore Zack Raabe put the nail in the coffin for UNC, as Minnesota took what became an insurmountable 4-1.
The Tar Heels struggled to get on base for the rest of the game, with the final score being settled when junior Mikey Madej struck out swinging in the top of the ninth innings to seal a Golden Gopher victory.
Who stood out?
In a game where North Carolina struggled to generate success at the plate, Sabato stood out in having a productive day. The first baseman was the only Tar Heel to notch multiple hits, and his game-tying RBI gave UNC a chance to win despite its offensive struggles.
