University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
UNC Asheville
Miller Pitches Tar Heels Past UNC Asheville, 6-0
March 9, 2004 | Baseball
March 9, 2004
Freshman lefty Andrew Miller (2-0) allowed just two hits in 5.2 shutout innings, and the Tar Heel bats tied a season high with three home runs, to lead North Carolina to a 6-0 win over UNC Asheville (5-7) Tuesday at Boshamer Stadium. With the victory, Carolina (9-3) extends its winning streak to a season-high five games and improves to 9-0 at home this season.
Despite walking the bases loaded in the first, Miller settled down and did not allow a hit until an infield single until the top of the fourth. In all, Miller gave up just two hits, both infield singles to right fielder Charles Pippitt, while walking six and striking out six. He improves to 2-0 with the win and sports a 0.55 earned run average on the year. Seniors Michael Gross and Whitley Benson came on in relief to preserve the shutout, Carolina's second in a row.
After downing St. Francis, 5-0, on Sunday and blanking the Bulldogs Tuesday, Carolina has thrown back-to-back shutouts for the first time since beating both Miami (9-0) and Elon (14-0) on Jan. 30 and Feb. 9, 2000.
Senior third baseman Sammy Hewitt, junior right fielder Marshall Hubbard and sophomore center fielder Mike Daniel all homered for the Tar Heels. Hewitt's and Daniel's home runs were their first of the season, while Hubbard leads the squad with four round-trippers. Hewitt was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and first baseman Justin Webb went 2-for-3 with one run.
Hewitt put the Tar Heels up 1-0 in the second with a solo home run to right field, which snapped an 0-for-13 slump. Carolina added a run in the third when shortstop Greg Mangum singled up the middle to drive in second baseman Craig Corrado, who reached on a bloop double down the right field line and took third on a balk by UNCA starter David Williams.
Ahead 2-0 after three innings, the Tar Heels pulled away thanks to two more home runs in the fourth. Hubbard roped a solo shot to left, to push the lead to 3-0, and Daniel followed that up with a three-run blast to right, giving Carolina a 6-0 advantage.
Williams (0-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs. He worked six innings and allowed six earned runs on nine hits. He did not issue a walk and struck out three. Aaron Rembert worked two scoreless innings of relief for the Bulldogs.
The Tar Heels return to action Wednesday against High Point at 2 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium. Senior Scott Manshack is expected to make his first start of the season against the Panthers. Carolina hosts California for a three-game series this weekend.
