The North Carolina Tar Heels’ baseball program had a big opportunity to rebound after a tough loss earlier in the week to Coastal Carolina. But a three-game road series at Notre Dame loomed and it wasn’t an easy one.
With tough weather conditions facing the two programs over the weekend, the Diamond Heels managed to get the best of the Fighting Irish and escape South Bend by winning the series. The two wins moved UNC to 20-8 overall ahead of a week that features a series against Georgia Tech.
Game 1: UNC 10, Notre Dame 8 (Friday)
After scoring two runs in each of the first two innings, the Diamond Heels saw the Fighting Irish score three in the bottom of the second to get back into it. Notre Dame then added three more in the third, one in the fourth and one in the eighth to grab a 8-4 lead.
Going into the ninth, things looked grim.
But a grand slam by Johnny Castagnozzi highlighted a six-run ninth inning to give the Tar Heels a much-needed win.
Game 2: UNC 5, Notre Dame 2 (Sunday)
Bad weather on Saturday forced the second game to be moved to Sunday afternoon. Just like the first game, UNC got off to a good start by jumping out to a 3-0 lead after six innings.
Notre Dame battled back with two in the bottom of the seventh but that’s as close as they got. UNC added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth.
Jackson Va De Brake led the way with two hits and three RBI’s while Connor Bovair got the win to move to 3-1.
Game 3: Notre Dame 9, UNC 1 (Sunday)
With the series already in hand, UNC looked to get a big sweep to cap off the week. But unlike the first two games, it was Notre Dame that got off to the good start.
The Fighting Irish scored two in the first, four in the third and three in the fifth to take home the win. UNC couldn’t get the bats going, scoring just one run and committing two errors.
UNC returns to action on Tuesday with a neutral site game against South Carolina in Charlotte. They are back on the road next weekend to face Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
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