University of North Carolina Athletics
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Winthrop
No. 3 Carolina Holds Off Winthrop, 8-7
May 15, 2007 | Baseball
May 15, 2007
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Right fielder Tim Fedroff matched a career best with four RBI on three hits to lead No. 3 North Carolina to an 8-7 win over Winthrop Tuesday in the final regular season game at the current Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels (42-11) withstood a three-run rally in the ninth from the Eagles (30-23) to claim their third straight win in the series.
Fedroff needed to see just two pitches to drive in four of Carolina's first six runs on a second-inning triple and a third-inning single. His four early RBI proved to be huge for the Tar Heels, as Winthrop scored four times over the final three innings and left the tying run on base in the ninth.
Tim Federowicz came on with a three-run lead and runners at second and third with no outs in the ninth and earned his third save of the season. He allowed two runs to score on sacrifice flies, but induced a game-ending ground ball with the tying run at first.
In addition to Fedroff's four RBI, catcher Benji Johnson drove in two runs for the Tar Heels, and first baseman Dustin Ackley added two hits and now has 94 on the season, which is good for the ninth-best single season total in UNC history.
Sophomore right-hander Adam Warren (10-0) allowed three earned runs for the first time in his career over 4 2/3 innings but still earned the win in a staff outing. He matched a career-high with seven hits allowed but walked just one and struck out four.
With the victory, Warren becomes just the 14th pitcher in UNC history to win 10-plus games in a single season. Scott Bankhead, who was 11-0 in 1984, is the only Tar Heel to go unbeaten in a season with 10 or more victories.
Winthrop reliever Ryan Mullins (4-5) took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning.
Center fielder Tommy Lentz and shortstop Kevin Nolan each had three hits for the Eagles, who outhit the Tar Heels, 15-10, on the night. Right fielder Phil Carey also added a two-run home run.
Winthrop took a 1-0 lead in the second and snapped Warren's scoreless streak at 16 innings on a single up the middle by first baseman Eddie Tisdale. Nolan started the rally with a one-out double to left center and came around to score on Tisdale's base hit.
The Tar Heels answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning, two of which scored on the two-run triple by Fedroff. Shortstop Josh Horton walked and third baseman Chad Flack singled to put runners on the corners before Fedroff ripped the first pitch he saw from starter Owen Reid down the right field line to score both runners on his third triple of the season.
The Eagles tied the game in the third on the two-run home run to right by Carey, but Carolina came right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. After loading the bases on a walk and a pair of infield singles, the Tar Heels regained the lead on a Horton sacrifice fly. Fedroff followed two batters later with his second two-run hit of the day, a single through the right side to give UNC a 6-3 advantage.
Fedroff and Johnson again spearheaded a Tar Heel rally in the sixth, which pushed the lead to 8-3. Fedroff singled up the middle for his third hit of the night and stole second before Johnson singled up the middle to drive in his second run of the night. Johnson then moved to second on a balk and scored on a single to right by left fielder Reid Fronk.
Winthrop scored the next four runs to cut the lead to the one-run final margin. Lentz had RBI doubles in the seventh and ninth innings to lead the rally.
The Tar Heels close out the regular season with a three-game set at Maryland beginning Friday.
