University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Towson
No. 2 Tar Heels Complete Sweep Of Towson, 11-3
March 22, 2006 | Baseball
March 22, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sophomore shortstop Josh Horton matched a career-high with four hits and drove in three runs as No. 2 North Carolina completed a two-game series sweep of Towson with an 11-3 win Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium. Seven players recorded multi-hit games for the Tar Heels (19-3), who tallied 20 or more hits for the second time this season.
After scoring 10 times against the Tigers (7-14) over the first four innings Tuesday, the Tar Heels came back with 10 more runs over the opening five frames Wednesday and cruised to the eight-run victory. Carolina has notched at least 10 runs in each of its last four games, scoring 43 times over this stretch.
Horton led the Tar Heels with four hits, including back-to-back two doubles in the fourth and fifth innings, two runs scored and a season high-tying three RBI. First baseman Chad Flack equaled a career-best with three hits for the ninth time, while hot-hitting left fielder Jay Cox went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBI and a pair of walks. Cox has now hit safely in nine straight games.
Second baseman Kyle Shelton and center fielder Mike Cavasinni remained hot with two hits each for the second straight day, while catcher Benji Johnson was 2-for-4 with his third home run of the season. Designated hitter Tim Federowicz also added two hits and one RBI to push his current hitting streak to a career-best eight games.
Starter Luke Putkonen improved his record to 3-0 on the season after allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out three. Relievers Mike Facchinei and Rob Wooten combined for three shutout innings before sophomore Andrew Carignan came on to close the game with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth. Carolina's bullpen combined for 10 shutout innings in the two-game series with the Tigers.
Towson starter Tyler Travis (0-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks over 2.1 innings. Shortstop Brian Conley and center fielder Kyle Shellchock each had two hits for Towson.
After scratching out four runs over the first three innings, the Tar Heels put the game away with six runs over the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Carolina added three runs on successive run-scoring hits by Horton, Federowicz and right fielder Matt Spencer in the fourth. In the fifth, Johnson led off with a solo homer to left, and Fox and Horton followed with RBI doubles to push the UNC lead to 10-3.
Carolina is back in action this weekend for a three-game series at No. 4 Georgia Tech. Game times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
