University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Commonwealth
VCU Rallies Past No. 16 Carolina, 8-6
May 12, 2004 | Baseball
May 12, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Dustin Sloan singled home two runs in the top of the 10th to lead Virginia Commonwealth to an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over No. 16 North Carolina (34-14) Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels took a 6-4 lead into the ninth, but the Rams (30-17) rallied to send Carolina to its third consecutive loss.
With the bases loaded in the 10th, Sloan ripped an infield single that second baseman Craig Corrado stopped in short right center but two runs scored on the play, giving the Rams an 8-6 lead. After allowing the tying runs in the ninth, UNC's Michael Gross gave up a leadoff double to Anthony Granato and a single to Joe Meador before intentionally walking left fielder Barrett Ripley to load the bases. Two batters later, Sloan drove in the game-winning runs.
The Tar Heels held the lead until the ninth thanks to four hitless innings by Whitley Benson and Andrew Miller out of the bullpen. Gross (3-2) came on to work the ninth, but VCU rallied for two runs to knot the score at six. After back-to-back singles from Ripley and first baseman Robbie Gragnani, pinch hitter Pete Farina singled to right to score both runners.
Carolina loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but was unable to get any runs across. The Tar Heels, who last lost three straight Feb. 27-29, left nine men on base. UNC held advantages of 4-0 and 6-4 in the game but could not hold the lead.
After VCU starter Jon Link struck out the side in the first, the Tar Heels sent nine men to the plate and tallied four runs in the second. Designated hitter Ross Cook put the first runs on the board with a two-run homer down the left field line. Third baseman Sammy Hewitt, who started the rally with a walk, scored on Cook's second homer of the year. Center fielder Chase Younts pushed the lead to 4-0 with a two-run double to right. The hit scored Brack Massey, who singled, and Craig Corrado who reached on an error by VCU shortstop Paul Swack.
The Rams tied score in the top of the third on a grand slam over the left field wall from Granato, his seventh home run of the season. The first grand slam allowed by the Tar Heels this season scored Trai Harris, who singled, and Eric Latura and Scott Sizemore, who both walked.
The Tar Heels scored twice in the fifth to break the 4-4 tie. Younts got hit by a pitch and took third on a single through the left side by shortstop Greg Mangum to start the rally. Following a walk to catcher Chris Iannetta, right fielder Marshall Hubbard drove in Younts with a ground out to second. Mangum then scored on a RBI grounder to short by Hewitt to give Carolina a 6-4 lead.
Carolina starter Adam Kalkhof worked four innings and allowed four runs on just two hits but one was Granato's grand slam. He tied a career high with five walks. Link also went four for the Rams and gave up six runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks. Making just his second relief appearance of the season, Miller stuck out four VCU batters in two innings.
Clay Meredith earned the win for VCU, while Marcus Davis picked up his first save.
Granato went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a double to lead the Ram offense.
Carolina returns to action this weekend at No. 2 Miami. Games are set for 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and Noon Sunday. Friday's game will be broadcast by College Sports Television.
