University of North Carolina Athletics
On This Day in Carolina History
June 21, 1999 | General
1978 -- Smith Blanks Duke on Four-Hitter
Junior righthander Blaine Smith fired a four-hit shutout, leading North Carolina to a 2-0 victory over Duke In the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.
Smith, 3-1, struck out 12 Blue Devils in outdueling Dukes Larry Brooks. Brooks entered the game in the first inning when starting pitcher Ted Gardner had to leave because of a sore arm.
First baseman Jim Rouse scored what proved to be the winning run in the second inning. He led off the inning by beating out an infield hit. He promptly stole second base and moved to third on a fly ball. Mark McKinneys sacrifice fly then brought him home.
Carolina added an insurance run in the seventh when outfielder Greg Robinson scored an unearned run.
The victory gave the Tar Heels a 15-5 record, while Duke fell to 2-6.
