Sweep victory: Diamond Heels sweep Wagner to kick off 2024 campaign
This past weekend was the pinnacle of hard, offseason work for several athletes, as college baseball programs played their opening series of the 2024 season.
One of those many teams who kicked off gameplay was UNC, as it welcomed Wagner College to Boshamer Stadium for a 3-game weekend set. The Diamond Heels had plenty of anticipation coming in – a talented, young freshman class, a deep position player group led by reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year Vance Honeycutt and looking to make their seventh-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Not only did North Carolina dominating the visiting Seahawks, but it enjoyed a massive offensive explosion – 46 runs – en route to three consecutive wins. Pitching wasn’t too shabby, either, particularly behind freshman starting pitcher Folger Boaz’ gem on Opening Day.
Game One: UNC 10, Wagner 3
It took them a while to get going on Friday, but the Tar Heel (3-0)bats wouldn’t stop swinging come the sixth inning.
The sixth had everything in terms of how UNC scored – a Parks Harber sacrifice fly, Colby Wilkerson RBI double, Honeycutt home run, Anthony Donofrio triple and a Wagner (0-3) fielding error. Harber, Donofrio and Wilkerson all recorded at least two hits.
Boaz showed just how special he could be from the moment he took the mound, striking out five Seahawks across five innings while allowing just one run on five hits. The North Carolina bullpen cleaned up, allowing just three hits and two runs the rest of the way.
Harber led UNC with three hits, while Donofrio, Honeycutt and Wilkerson each notched two RBIs.
Game Two: UNC 16, Miami 5
It was a rough afternoon for Diamond Heels starting pitcher Ben Peterson, who gave up five runs (four earned) across just 3 1/3 innings, but the offense remained hot.
UNC jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning, thanks to three singles, a double and a sac fly.
After Wagner tied things up at five in the fourth inning, North Carolina responded with a 5-run sixth inning that broke things open. Designated hitter Alberto Osuna provided the real backbreaker, drilling a 3-run single up the middle that made things 10-5.
Outfielder Casey Cook was the Diamond Heels’ greatest offensive producer, finishing his Saturday a team-best 4-for-6 with a double, home run and four RBIs.
UNC redshirt-sophomore Dalton Pence won on the mound, tossing 3 1/3 innings of 1-hit, 5-strikeout baseball.
Game three: UNC 20, Wagner 6
If the first thought that comes to your mind after Sunday’s game is, “Are you sure this wasn’t a football game,” I don’t blame you.
North Carolina dominated in all phases of the series finale, but particularly with the bats. This game was decided in the second inning, when the Diamond Heels scored 10 runs via a home run, double, two singles, a bases-loaded walk and an error.
Osuna was UNC’s star at the plate, hitting a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBIs. He notched his first home run of the season in the second inning, scoring the game’s first tally. Infielder Alex Madera and Cook also tallied three hits, while Madera, Cook and pinch-hitter Gavin Gallagher combined for eight RBIs.
Sunday was the first time North Carolina scored 20 runs in a game since April 12, 2021, when it dominated archrival Duke in a 21-8 victory.
UNC is in great position heading into Tuesday’s 4 p.m. first pitch against Elon. The Phoenix went 1-2 in a 3-game home series vs. Navy this weekend.
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