University of North Carolina Athletics
Opening Day: Miller Takes Mound for Tar Heels Against ASU
February 15, 2005 | Baseball
Feb. 15, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sophomore preseason All-America Andrew Miller will take the mound on opening day Wednesday as the No. 7-ranked North Carolina baseball team faces in-state opponent Appalachian State (1-2) at 3 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium.
The Tar Heels, who were 43-21 a year ago, lead the all-time series with Appalachian State, 16-3, and posted an 8-5 win over the Mountaineers at Boshamer Stadium last season. Miller made his second career start in that game and allowed five runs, just one which was earned, in four innings. He struck out four but walked one and hit a season-high four batters. Miller went on to post a 6-2 record and a 2.93 earned run average a year ago.
Carolina head coach Mike Fox, who is entering his seventh season at his alma mater, is 6-0 on opening day. The Tar Heels have won their last seven season openers and last opened the season with a loss at Coastal Carolina in 1997. UNC has never opened versus the Mountaineers.
Appalachian State went 1-2 last week, defeating North Carolina A&T before losing twice at Gardner-Webb over the weekend. Senior shortstop Brad Peisel went 7-for-10 with a homer and four runs batted in to lead ASU at the plate.
Carolina returns six position players that batted over .300 a year ago, including senior all-conference second baseman Greg Mangum, sophomore outfielder Jay Cox, who hit .329, and sophomore outfielder/designated hitter Matt Ellington, who hit .306 and drove in 27 runs. Senior outfielder Ross Cook (.343), junior outfielder Mike Daniel (.320) and senior outfielder Chase Younts (.311) are also expected to bolster the UNC lineup. Twenty-three of Fox's 33 players are either freshmen or sophomores.
Following Wednesday's game, Carolina hosts Seton Hall for a three-game set at The Bosh this weekend. The Tar Heels and Pirates will play at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday and will wrap up the series at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
