University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Appalachian State
Miller, No. 7 Tar Heels Blank ASU, 5-0
February 16, 2005 | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Senior designated hitter Ross Cook hit a first-inning, three-run home run, and sophomore preseason All-America Andrew Miller and a pair of relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout to lead No. 7-ranked North Carolina (1-0) to a 5-0 win over visiting Appalachian State (1-3) on opening day Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium.
Miller (1-0) scattered seven hits, walked two and struck out four en route to his first win of the season and the seventh of his career. The 6-foot, 6-inch lefty also picked off two runners and induced two double plays on the afternoon. Senior right-hander Bryan Phillips came on with two on and two out in the seventh, worked out of the jam, and tossed a scoreless eighth before redshirt sophomore Matt Danford struck out the side in the ninth to close out the victory. Phillips and Danford did not allow a hit and fanned five in 2.1 innings of relief.
At the plate, Cook put the Tar Heels up 3-0 in the first when he took ASU starter Taylor Craig over the right center field wall for his third career round-tripper. Senior catcher Justin Webb doubled to left center to start the rally, and freshman first baseman Chad Flack followed with a walk before Cook's homer.
Carolina tacked on two more runs off Craig in the second. Freshman third baseman Reid Fronk singled down the right field line in his first collegiate at bat before taking second on a throwing error and third on a wild pitch. Walks to seniors Chase Younts and Greg Mangum followed before Webb slapped a grounder between the legs of Mountaineer third baseman Luis Arce, which allowed Fronk and Younts to score and gave the Tar Heels a 5-0 lead after two.
Craig (0-1) took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) over four innings. He gave up four hits, walked three and struck out four and was relived by Jonathan Reeder to start the fifth. Brian Caudill and Josh Fish did not allow a hit over the final three innings for the Mountaineers, who dropped their third straight.
With the victory, Carolina improved to 7-0 on opening day under head coach Mike Fox and 17-3 all-time versus Appalachian State.
UNC returns to action against Seton Hall for a three-game series this weekend at Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels and Pirates will meet at 3 p.m. Friday at Saturday followed by a 1:30 p.m. meeting Sunday.
