University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
East Carolina
Baseball Drops No. 19 East Carolina, 6-3
April 17, 2001 | Baseball
April 17, 2001
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina defeated No. 19 East Carolina, 6-3, Tuesday evening in frigid temperatures at Boshamer Stadium. Carolina, which has won eight of its last nine meetings with the Pirates, improves to 24-18 on the season, while ECU falls to 33-10.
Daniel Moore had his second strong start in a row, surrendering three runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings to get the win. Moore, who was also impressive in getting the win last Wednesday versus Charlotte, is now 4-3 on the season. ECU starter Ashley Capps (3-2) gave up four runs on seven hits over five innings for the loss.
Carolina got to Capps in the bottom of the third with three runs on four hits. Chad Prosser, Russ Adams and Ralph Roberts all singled and scored for the Tar Heels for a 3-0 lead.
ECU answered with its first run in the top of the fourth when John Williamson singled and scored to cut the UNC lead to 3-1. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded and the Pirates threatening for more, Moore got center fielder Warren Gaspar to hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning and keep the Tar Heel advantage at two runs.
Sean Farrell homered in the fifth for a 4-1 Tar Heel lead, but Lee Delfino's two-out, two-run single in the seventh pulled ECU to within 4-3 and knocked Moore from the game. But Jason Howell came out of the bullpen and ended East Carolina's rally, getting Cliff Godwin to ground out to second. Howell went the final 2.1 innings, striking out two, for his fourth save.
In the bottom of the seventh, Carolina tacked on two unearned runs to pull back on top by three runs. The Tar Heels had runners at second and third with two outs when Chris Maples hit a weak pop to second baseman Bryant Ward. But Ward dropped the ball as Jason Howell (who moved into the DH slot in the batting order when he came in to pitch) and Adam Greenberg crossed the plate.
Chad Prosser and Sean Farrell led the way at the plate with two hits apiece. Farrell, who had his third homer of the season, knocked in two runs. Ryan Blake, who's been slumping of late, also had two hits to notch his first multi-hit game since March 21. Delfino paced the Pirates with a 3-for-5 night, while Chad Tracy was 2-4.
The Tar Heels continue a 10-game homestand when they host Duke for a three-game series this weekend at Boshamer Stadium. Carlyle Cup points will be on the line in the series, which begins Friday at 7 p.m. Saturday's game time is 5 p.m. (follows Blue-White football scrimmage) and Sunday's first pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
