University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Towson
Hewitt, Tar Heels Top Towson, 7-4
March 24, 2004 | Baseball
March 24, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Senior Sammy Hewitt went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in, and freshman righty Robert Woodard allowed just two hits over five innings to lead 16th-ranked North Carolina (18-5, 2-1 ACC) to a 7-4 victory and a two-game sweep over Towson (7-10) Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium.
Woodard (3-1) gave up just two hits, one walk and one unearned run to pick up the win in his second consecutive midweek start. He is now tied for the team lead in victories with three. Senior Michael Gross worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and tossed a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save of the season.
In addition to Hewitt, designated hitter Matt Ellington scored twice and drove in two runs. First baseman Chris Iannetta singled in the fifth inning to extend his career-best hitting streak to 12 games, equaling Marshall Hubbard for the team's longest this season.
Just as it did Tuesday, Towson took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. First baseman Bobby Paduano singled to center and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. He later scored when Towson catcher Jeremy Stifler reached on a throwing error by Hewitt.
Hewitt made up for the defensive miscue in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single through the left side. The hit scored Hubbard, who walked and advanced to third when Towson center fielder Mark Chiccini dropped a fly ball off the bat of Ellington. He later scored to give Carolina a 2-1 lead when catcher Justin Webb singled to right.
Hewitt came through again in the third with his second run-scoring single of the afternoon. The hit to center plated left fielder Jay Cox, who walked to start the inning. The Tar Heels tacked on one more in the inning when Hewitt and Iannetta pulled off a double steal and a high throw to third by Stifler allowed Iannetta to score, lifting the lead to 4-1.
Highlighted by a two-run triple by Ellington, Carolina added three in the fifth to make the score 7-1. Chase Younts led off the inning with a single through the right side, and Iannetta singled to left before Ellington tripled down the right field line to score both runners. Ellington later scored on a wild pitch for the final run of the inning.
Towson also picked up a run in the seventh on a single up the middle by Chiccini and added two in the eighth on a single to left center by Stifler and a RBI single by Pat Fields. Paduano had three hits, and Stifler and Fields each added two hits for the Tigers.
Tiger starter Chris Rhoades (0-2) took the loss after allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks. He worked just three innings.
Carolina returns to Atlantic Coast Conference action this weekend when it hosts No. 12 Florida State (20-5, 3-0 ACC) for a three-game set. The series opens at 6 p.m. Friday and continues at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
