University of North Carolina Athletics
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Charlotte
Top-Ranked Tar Heels Close Out Charlotte 14-6
April 12, 2006 | Baseball
April 12, 2006
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After trailing 3-0 through four innings, No. 1 North Carolina scored three runs in each of its next four trips to the plate and tacked on two more in the ninth to post a 14-6 win over Charlotte Wednesday at Tom and Lib Phillips Field. The Tar Heels (28-7) got a season-high five RBI from first baseman Chad Flack and took advantage of five errors to sweep the two-game season from the 49ers (22-11-1).
Flack went 2-for-4 and drove in five runs on a fifth inning sacrifice fly, a two-run single in the sixth and a two-run double in the ninth. Center fielder Mike Cavasinni led Carolina with a career-high three hits on the night to go along with two runs scored and two driven in. Outfielder Jay Cox and designated hitter Benji Johnson also had two hits each and combined to drive in five runs. Johnson drove in two, while Cox pushed his team-best RBI total to 34 with a bases-clearing double in the eighth.
Third baseman Reid Fronk saw his 11-game hitting streak snapped but scored a career-best four runs after drawing three walks for the second time in the last three games and being hit by a pitch twice.
Right-hander Matt Danford (4-1) picked up the win for Carolina with two innings of one-hit ball. He came on to start the sixth and retired six of the eight batters he faced with two strikeouts. The Tar Heels used seven pitchers on the night, including Rob Wooten and Matt Cox, who combined to work a scoreless ninth.
Charlotte reliever Kyle Pfirrman (2-1) took the loss after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Center fielder Chris Lane had two hits to lead the 49ers at the plate.
Charlotte jumped out to the 3-0 lead as right fielder Spencer Steedley singled to right center and came around to score on a single through the left side by Chris Lane in the second and left fielder O'Brien Taylor singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Cory Lane in the third. The 49ers pushed their lead to three runs in the fourth when first baseman Adam Floyd drew a two-out walk, moved to third on a single through the right side by third baseman Aaron Bray and scored on a throwing error by UNC right fielder Matt Spencer.
After managing just one base hit over the first four innings, the Tar Heels scratched out three runs in the fifth to tie the game. Pinch hitter Kyle Shelton reached on a throwing error by Bray and came around to score on a sac fly to right by Flack to put Carolina on the board. A walk to shortstop Josh Horton loaded the bases for the second time in the frame before Johnson singled to center to drive in two and knot the score at three.
Charlotte came right back to score two in the bottom of the inning on a two-out double by designated hitter Chris Taylor on the first pitch from reliever Adam Warren, but the Tar Heels responded with three more runs in the top of the sixth to take their first lead of the night. Catcher Tim Federowicz reached on an error for the second time, Cavasinni singled and Fronk drew a walk to load the bases with two out in the inning. Flack followed with a single to center to score two runs and tie the game, and Horton came through with a double down the right field line to score Fronk and give Carolina a one-run lead.
Three runs for a third straight inning extended the Tar Heels' lead to 9-5 in the seventh. Johnson singled and scored on an RBI single by Federowicz. Shelton reached on an error for the second time before a wild pitch put two runners in scoring position for Cavasinni, who singled up the middle to drive in two.
Cox cleared the bases in the eighth with a double down the right field line to give Carolina a 12-5 lead. The Tar Heels loaded the bases without a hit before Cox's second hit of the night scored three. After Charlotte scored its final run in the bottom of the inning, UNC scored its final two runs in the ninth on Flack's second two-run hit of the night. His double scored Cavasinni, who reached on an infield single, and Fronk, who walked for the third time.
Carolina starter Luke Putkonen went four innings, struck out two and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks. Charlotte starter Adam Mills also did not figure into the decision but went three innings, struck out four and did not allow a hit.
The Tar Heels are back in Atlantic Coast Conference action in a three-game series with Virginia Tech beginning Friday at Boshamer Stadium. Game times are 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
