Whew, what a wild night for UNC Athletics. While most people are catching up on the whirlwind that is the news of UNC men's basketball moving on from Hubert Davis (I implore you to go check out IC's fantastic ongoing coverage of that) here are a few short takeaways from UNC's 9-1 victory over South Carolina in the Queen City.
The Little Things:
Last year's team excelled at the small things, this year we have yet to see as much small ball even with the speed on the base paths that players like Jake Schaffner and Owen Hull provide. It started out early, for the very first at-bat for Carolina, Schaffner put down a shift beating bunt to take first. Gavin Gallaher immediately drove him home with a monster two-run shot to left. In the 7th inning on Tuesday however, UNC did it all. Gavin Gallaher and Macon Winslow scored on wild pitches. Hull called and executed his own safe bunt squeeze while Colin Hynek and Tyler Howe each hit an RBI double and single, respectively.
It wasn't just the offensive little things either, Carter French had an extremely athletic (there is his HS football background) run saving snag while the UNC defense turned their 22nd double play of the season (2nd in the ACC).
Plus unlike the second two Louisville games, UNC was very efficient to begin innings, with the leadoff batter reaching in four out of eight innings.
Pitching:
The Carolina Arm barn has rolled recently. Boston Flannery had his best start as a Tar Heel, going 3.1 innings only allowing one run, striking out five and walking three. Walker McDuffie, after walking his first batter, was lights out going 2.2 innings allowing no hits and striking out seven. Jackson Rose and Cameron Padgett combined to pitch the final three scoreless frames.
All in all, the pitching staff was efficient, 14 strikeouts, only one run scored, three walks and 34 batters faced. An all around great pitching performance by the staff including some arms who are not all of the "usual subjects".
Other highlights:
Owen Hull went 3-for-5 with a double, which is good for his sixth three hit game of the season. He has been a man on fire recently.
Boston Flannery tied his career high strikeouts with five in his 3.1 innings of work.
Walker McDuffie continues to regain his confidence and aggression striking out 7 in 2.2 innings
Cooper Nicholson got on base going 1-for-1, walking twice and getting hit once.
The Little Things:
Last year's team excelled at the small things, this year we have yet to see as much small ball even with the speed on the base paths that players like Jake Schaffner and Owen Hull provide. It started out early, for the very first at-bat for Carolina, Schaffner put down a shift beating bunt to take first. Gavin Gallaher immediately drove him home with a monster two-run shot to left. In the 7th inning on Tuesday however, UNC did it all. Gavin Gallaher and Macon Winslow scored on wild pitches. Hull called and executed his own safe bunt squeeze while Colin Hynek and Tyler Howe each hit an RBI double and single, respectively.
It wasn't just the offensive little things either, Carter French had an extremely athletic (there is his HS football background) run saving snag while the UNC defense turned their 22nd double play of the season (2nd in the ACC).
Plus unlike the second two Louisville games, UNC was very efficient to begin innings, with the leadoff batter reaching in four out of eight innings.
Pitching:
The Carolina Arm barn has rolled recently. Boston Flannery had his best start as a Tar Heel, going 3.1 innings only allowing one run, striking out five and walking three. Walker McDuffie, after walking his first batter, was lights out going 2.2 innings allowing no hits and striking out seven. Jackson Rose and Cameron Padgett combined to pitch the final three scoreless frames.
All in all, the pitching staff was efficient, 14 strikeouts, only one run scored, three walks and 34 batters faced. An all around great pitching performance by the staff including some arms who are not all of the "usual subjects".
Other highlights:
Owen Hull went 3-for-5 with a double, which is good for his sixth three hit game of the season. He has been a man on fire recently.
Boston Flannery tied his career high strikeouts with five in his 3.1 innings of work.
Walker McDuffie continues to regain his confidence and aggression striking out 7 in 2.2 innings
Cooper Nicholson got on base going 1-for-1, walking twice and getting hit once.
