CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead and held on to top Gardner-Webb 12-5 Tuesday night in Boshamer Stadium.
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored three runs in the top of the fifth to pull closer, but the Tar Heels responded with two in the bottom half of the inning and single runs in the sixth and seventh. Gardner-Webb scored one run in the seventh and ninth innings for the final margin.
Mac Horvath's grand slam in the fourth put North Carolina up 7-0 and another run crossed before Gardner-Webb could get out of the inning. The 'Dogs answered quickly in the top of the fifth.
Humberto Torres belted his first home run of the season for Gardner-Webb's first run and
Alex Ray was plunked on a 2-2 count to get another man on base. A single from
Peter Capobianco continued the rally, and
Jacob Marcos roped an RBI hit into left for an 8-2 score.
Curtis Robison followed with an RBI single up the middle to bring home Capobianco for GWU's third run of the night.
A fielding error by the Tar Heels in the top of the seventh allowed the speedy Marcos to reach and – after he stole second –
Alec Burns drove him home with a single into left to cut North Carolina's lead to 11-4.
The Gardner-Webb bench made an impact in the ninth.
AJ Solomon earned a pinch hit walk to lead off the frame and, after moving all the way to third on a passed ball and wild pitch,
Carson Yates smoked an RBI single to center field to drive Solomon home.
Gabe Pilla earned his first start at Gardner-Webb on Tuesday and was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in 3.0 innings pitched. Six different arms toed the rubber for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs had 10 hits in the game, led by Marcos (2-for-4), Burns (2-for-3) and Robison (2-for-4). Seven different GWU batters had at least one hit in the game.
North Carolina had 15 hits Tuesday, led by Vance Honeycutt's 4-for-5 night. Angel Zarate went 3-for-4 and four different Tar Heels had at least two hits.
Gardner-Webb will slide back into Big South Conference play on Friday night, hosting Presbyterian at 6:00 pm at Bill Masters Field (ESPN+).
