University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
George Mason
No. 3 Tar Heels Complete Sweep Of Patriots With 7-4 Win
March 15, 2006 | Baseball
March 15, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sophomore third baseman Reid Fronk hit a go-ahead solo home run in the bottom of the seventh and relievers Jonathan Hovis and Andrew Carignan retired all eight batters they faced to close out No. 3 North Carolina's 7-4 victory and two-game series sweep of George Mason Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium.
Fronk, who was 2-for-3 with a career-best three runs scored, was one of four starters with two hits for the Tar Heels (15-2). Outfielder Jay Cox had a pair of hits for his fourth straight multi-hit game, and catcher Tim Federowicz and second baseman Bryan Steed also tacked on two safeties apiece. Center fielder Seth Williams drove in a team-high two runs with a fourth inning two-run homer.
Hovis (3-1) came on in the seventh and set down all five batters he faced, including three via strikeout to earn the win in relief. Carignan needed just 10 pitches in the ninth to earn his third save of the season.
Designated hitter Casey Slattery led the Patriots (7-12) with three hits and three RBI.
Carolina trailed early for the second day in a row, as George Mason carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of fourth. But Williams quickly took care of the deficit thanks to a two-run home run off the scoreboard in left, his second of the season. Federowicz led off the inning with a single and scored on the play.
After the Patriots rallied to tie the game in the sixth on a triple by catcher Jason Bour and an RBI double Slattery, Fronk put the Tar Heels in front to stay with his third homer of the season, a solo shot to right center. Cox followed with a double and scored on an error by George Mason first baseman Scott Krieger, and right fielder Matt Spencer scored on a throwing error by Patriot shortstop Brent Weiss in the eighth for the 7-4 final margin.
First baseman Chad Flack and Cox drove in the Tar Heels' first two runs of the afternoon with RBI grounders in the first and third, respectively.
Carolina starter Luke Putkonen gave up two earned runs on six hits and one walk over five innings. Robert Woodard worked an inning in his first relief appearance of the season, and Tyler Trice also came on to get one out in the seventh before Hovis entered.
George Mason reliever Phil Stone (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs, including Fronk's go-ahead homer, in 1.2 innings. Starter Mike Modica allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks in 5.2 innings.
Carolina returns to ACC action this weekend with a three-game series against Maryland at Boshamer. Game times are 3 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Fans that purchase tickets at TarHeelBlue.com for Friday's game will receive a special St. Patrick's Day hat like the Tar Heels wear on the field while supplies last.
