Box Score (PDF)
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels used a five-run, sixth inning to help take the final game of the series against North Florida, 8-5. The Ospreys drop to 4-6 on the season while the Tar Heels, winners of their last six games, improve to 7-3 on the year.
UNF took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning before The Tar Heels rallied in a big way. UNC short stop Michael Russell led off the inning with a double to right center field but Osprey reliever,
Dan VanSickle, fanned the next two batters. Five of the next six hitters for the Tar Heels delivered singles to help take their first lead of the game. The five-run outburst was the most against the Ospreys in one inning this season.
Alex Merritt and
Patrick Ervin each put forth multiple-hit efforts in Sunday's contest for UNF. They went a combined 4-for-9 on the day with two runs scored. Junior
Drew Weeks hit safely in his 18
th-straight game and finished the afternoon, 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Making his first career start, freshman
Bryan Baker pitched into the sixth inning. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one in the no decision.
The Ospreys scored their fifth run of the game in the top of the eighth on an RBI single by
Nick Karmeris that scored Weeks. The Tar Heels got themselves out of the one-out jam by doubling up the Ospreys on a lineout to centerfield. The Tar Heels managed two more runs in their final two turns at the plate, to make the score, 8-5.
The Ospreys once again got the scoring going in their first turn at the plate. Freshman
Patrick Ervin led the inning off with a single for the second-straight day. With one-out and runners on the corners, a wild pitch and an errant throw by the catcher brought home Ervin for the first run of the game. The next batter,
Drew Weeks, grounded a ball to the right side that scored
Donnie Dewees to give the Ospreys a quick, 2-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth inning, UNF extended their lead after loading the bases with two outs. Sophomore
Kyle Brooks dug in and lined a 3-2 pitch into right field that scored
Trent Higginbothem and
Drew Weeks.
Both Carolina and North Florida had 10 hits in today's game. For the series each, team had 33 hits but the Tar Heels were able to outscore the Ospreys, 16-6
The Ospreys will have the week to prepare for Georgia Bulldog Classic in Athens, Ga. this weekend. UNF will open with Western Carolina on Friday at 1:00 p.m. The Ospreys will take on host, Georgia on Saturday and wrap up the tournament with Buffalo on Sunday.
Quick Hits
-Prior to the series, the Ospreys had not scored a run in the first inning through seven games. In the last two games, UNF has scored three of the six runs this weekend in the first inning.
-North Carolina scored six of its eight runs today with two outs.
