CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Ninth-ranked North Carolina scored five runs in the first inning to cruise to a 11-1 win over Gardner-Webb at Boshamer Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Gardner-Webb (2-3) starter Landon Mitchell walked the first two North Carolina (4-0) batters he faced in the bottom of the first, then allowed two consecutive base hits to score two runs.  An RBI groundout, followed by a 2-run home run by Kyle Datres set the score at 5-0 with one out.  Mitchell drew a flyout and groundout from the next two batters to get out of the inning.

The Diamond 'Dogs got on the board in the top of the third as Mason Fox hit a solo blast over the left field wall to set the score at 5-1. 

The Tar Heels would answer in the bottom of the fourth inning, tacking on two more runs to set the score at 7-1.

North Carolina would score once in the bottom of the seventh on solo home run by Zack Gahagan and would score three runs in the bottom of the eighth. 

Gardner-Webb had five base hits on the afternoon, led by Corey Howard who went 2-for-3 at the plate. 

The Tar Heels had a total of ten base hits, led by Brian Miller, who was 3-for-4 with one RBI.

Cole Aker earned the win on the mound for North Carolina, tossing 6.0 innings with three strikeouts, allowing one earned run.

Mitchell took the loss for GWU, hurling 3.0 innings with two strikeouts, allowing five earned runs.

The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action Friday at 4:00 pm, hosting Appalachian State for a three-game weekend series at John Henry Moss Stadium.