University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Davidson
Carolina's Gale Blanks Davidson, 4-0
April 12, 2005 | Baseball
April 12, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Freshman right-hander Andy Gale tossed a complete game shutout and struck out a career-best 10 batters to lead seventh-ranked North Carolina (28-6, 11-2 ACC) to a 4-0 victory over Davidson (15-16) Tuesday at Boshamer Stadium. Gale's shutout was the sixth of the season for the Tar Heels, who own the nation's best team earned run average.
Gale (2-1) allowed just six hits and did not issue a walk in his first career complete game and the first this season for the Tar Heels. He lowered his ERA to 1.88 in five starts and lowered the staff mark to 1.96. The complete game shutout was the first for Carolina since Garry Bakker went the distance in a 14-0 win over Maryland in last year's ACC Tournament.
At the plate, freshman first baseman Chad Flack went 2-for-4 with an RBI single for his sixth straight multi-hit game and a career-best nine-game hitting streak. He is now batting a team-best .363 on the season. Redshirt sophomore designated hitter Matt Ellington and freshman shortstop Josh Horton also added two hits each, while freshman right fielder Seth Williams drove in two runs with a first inning double.
After Gale set down the Wildcats in order the first, an RBI single by Flack and the two-out, two-run double Williams gave the Tar Heels a 3-0 lead. Flack's single to right drove in third baseman Justin Webb, who reached on an infield single to start the rally. Williams drove in Flack and Jay Cox, who reached on a fielder's choice.
Carolina tacked on a run in the sixth on a pinch hit single by sophomore Bryan Steed, which pushed the lead to 4-0. His single through the left side drove in catcher Benji Johnson, who singled and moved over to second on a Chase Younts walk.
Davidson starter Brian Packey (0-2) went five innings and allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks en route to the loss. He struck out one. Reliever Brant West allowed just one run on three hits over three innings. First baseman Gregory Zage led the Wildcats at the plate with two hits off Gale.
The Tar Heels are back in action Wednesday at 7 p.m. at East Carolina before hosting Miami for a three-game series this weekend at Boshamer Stadium.
