University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Gardner-Webb
Steed Singles No. 4 Carolina Past Gardner-Webb, 6-5
March 2, 2005 | Baseball
March 2, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sophomore Bryan Steed capped a ninth-inning rally with a two-out, bases-loaded single to lead No. 4-ranked North Carolina (9-0) to a 6-5 victory over Gardner-Webb (5-6) Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium. With the win, the Tar Heels, who are off to their best start since 2000, completed their season-opening home stand with a 9-0 record.
With the game tied at five, two out and the bases packed, Steed plated the game winner with a single down the left field line on a 3-2 count. The hit, which came off GWU reliever Matt Taffazzoli, scored sophomore outfielder Jay Cox, who reached on a walk. Cox's walk followed a free pass by the Bulldogs' Brandon Martin to Carolina catcher Justin Webb to lead off the inning. After the walks, senior Ross Cook doubled to center to drive in Webb and tie the score. After two outs and an intentional walk to first baseman Chad Flack, Steed followed with the single for the Tar Heels' second walk-off win in the last three games.
Tar Heel closer Matt Danford (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless top of the ninth. He capped a strong showing by the bullpen, which allowed just three hits and one unearned run over six innings. Starter Robert Woodard allowed seven hits and four runs in three innings.
Martin (0-1) took the loss for the Bulldogs after allowing two runs on two hits and five walks over 2.1 innings. Gardner-Webb ace Zach Ward took a no-decision after striking out nine over six innings. He entered the Wednesday's game with a 0.00 earned run average but allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks against the Tar Heels.
Cook had two hits off the bench to lead the Tar Heels, and freshman shortstop Josh Horton reached base three times and drove in two runs with a second-inning double. First baseman Brad Dees drove in four runs for Gardner-Webb, and third baseman Blake Lalli went 3-for-4 and scored three runs.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the top of the first off Woodard, who struck out the side but also allowed three hits and hit a batter. Right fielder Matt Maloney and Lalli both singled through the left side, before designated hitter Billy McCarson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Dees then singled to left to drive in both Maloney and Lalli.
Carolina got two of its own in the bottom of the second on Horton's two-run double. Center fielder Chase Younts singled up the middle to start the rally and extend his career-best hitting streak to 10 games. He then stole second and moved to third as third baseman Reid Fronk reached on a fielder's choice. Ward fielded the grounder off Fronk's bat and whipped it to GWU shortstop JD Milford, whose throw to third hit Younts in the back, allowing him to reach third safely and Fronk to move up to second. Horton then followed with a double over the center fielder's head to drive in two.
Dees quickly put the Bulldogs back in front with a two-run double in the third. The hit scored Lalli and left fielder Jeremy McCann, who led off the inning with singles, and gave GWU a 4-2 advantage. Woodard was lifted after the third in favor of senior righty Bryan Phillips, who fanned two over two innings.
GWU tacked on a fifth run in the fifth when Tar Heel second baseman Greg Mangum dropped a flare into short right field that allowed Lalli, who reached on a leadoff double, to score from third.
Mangum atoned for his earlier error with a run-scoring double down the left field line in the bottom of the inning. The hit scored Horton, who led off the inning with a walk. Mangum later scored when Cox beat a potential double play throw at first to reach on a fielder's choice.
In addition to Danford and Phillips, Rob Wooten, Jonathan Hovis and Andrew Carignan worked in relief for the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels return to action this weekend at the Keith LeClair Classic. Carolina faces Arizona State at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by a 2 p.m. Saturday meeting with Ohio State and a 1 p.m. Sunday game with Michigan.
