University of North Carolina Athletics
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Carolina Defeats Virginia, 5-0, For 13th Consecutive Win
March 30, 2002 | Baseball
March 30, 2002
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - North Carolina won its thirteenth consecutive game by defeating Virginia 5-0 in front of 719 people at UVA Baseball Stadium on Saturday night. With the win, the Tar Heels improve to 8-0 in conference play and find themselves alone at the top of the ACC.
Carolina starting pitcher Garry Bakker continued to be impressive in his freshman season as he pitched a complete game shutout and set a career high with 13 strikeouts. Bakker scattered just five hits throughout the game and walked only one batter in picking up his third victory of the season and lowering his ERA to 2.29.
"I didn't change anything today, I kept the same routine and tried to get ahead of hitters." said Bakker. "The outfield and infield both made some great plays behind me and this victory just feels great."
Carolina once again struck first as Chris Iannetta was hit by a pitch and later came around to score on a Chad Prosser single to center in the top of the second inning.
The Tar Heels put two more runs on the board in the top of the fourth, an inning which saw two walks by Virginia starter Jeff Kamrath and three errors by the Cavaliers' defense. Ryan Blake reached on a walk and scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Iannetta. Blake's run was unearned due to the fact that he should have been retired earlier in his at-bat when hitting a foul pop fly down the right field line which was dropped by Matt Street. Prosser also walked and came around to score on an errant throw by third baseman Dan Street on a ground ball off the bat of Ron Braun which should have been the final out of the inning.
Carolina added their fourth run of the evening in the top of the fifth inning as Russ Adams reached on a one-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then came around to score on a single to center by Sean Farrell.
Meanwhile, Bakker continued to dominate Virginia batters, as his fielders played strong defense behind him, turning two key double plays. The only real scare of the game came in the bottom of ninth when Bakker loaded the bases but struck out Chris Sweet to end the Cavaliers' threat and the game.
Kamrath pitched well but picked up the tough-luck loss as he gave up just two earned runs in seven innings. Kamrath's record fell to 4-2 as he helplessly watched his defense commit four errors behind him.
Said Carolina coach Mike Fox, "Pitching and defense were the name of the game today. Garry was just outstanding and we played great defense behind him."
Carolina and Virginia conclude their series in Charlottesville Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Tar Heels then return home for a game against Liberty on Tuesday and Coastal Carolina on Wednesday. Both games have a starting time of 6 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium.
