University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 4 Tar Heels Host Pirates, Panthers Midweek
April 23, 2007 | Baseball
April 23, 2007
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No. 4 North Carolina looks to build on its first win at No. 1 Florida State since 2003 when it hosts in-state opponents East Carolina and High Point this week at Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels (33-9) will face the Pirates (28-12) at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a 6 p.m. Wednesday meeting with the Panthers (23-20).
Jones Angell and Adam Lucas will have the call of both games for the Tar Heel Sports Network, and a webcast of Tuesday's game will be carried on ACC Select.
Carolina dropped three of its four games last week, but bounced back with 20 hits in a 10-6 victory over the Seminoles Sunday. First baseman Dustin Ackley (.471) and center fielder Seth Williams (.462) led the Tar Heels last week. Ackley continues to lead the nation in batting with a .467 average to go along with team highs of six home runs and 50 RBI.
Sophomore right-hander Adam Warren will start Tuesday against ECU. He has won seven straight starts and is 7-0 with a 2.13 ERA over 38 innings this season. Warren, who has 34 strikeouts to 16 walks on the year, will be making his first-ever appearance against the Pirates.
ECU will turn to freshman right-hander Mike Anderson, who is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA over 20 innings, for Tuesday's game. He has made five appearances, including four starts, on the season. The Pirates have won seven straight and are coming off a non-conference sweep of Savannah State last weekend. Shortstop Dale Mollenhauer leads the team with a .359 average, while outfielder Ryan Tousey owns team highs of 10 home runs and 44 RBI.
UNC leads its all-time series with East Carolina, 40-24, and has won five straight. The Tar Heels swept two games in 2005, and the teams did not play last season. The Pirates have not won in Chapel Hill since 1994.
The Tar Heels are 13-2-1 all-time against High Point and posted a 7-3 win over the Panthers last season. High Point will start Eammon Portice Wednesday, while Carolina has not yet named a starter. Portice is 5-5 with a 4.17 ERA over 73 1/3 innings. He has struck out 91 and walked 35.
Randy Schwartz leads the Panthers' offense with a .388 average, eight home runs and 49 RBI.
Carolina returns to league action this weekend with a three-game set at NC State.
