University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
George Washington
Tar Heels Edge Colonials 4-2
February 20, 2010 | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2010
Buy Baseball Tickets | Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Senior Mike Cavasinni scorched a two-out two RBI single to lead No. 11 North Carolina over George Washington 4-2 in front of 1254 fans at Boshamer Stadium Saturday. North Carolina (2-0), who trailed 1-0 for the first seven and a half innings, scored all of its four runs in the seventh inning, with two outs, to defeat George Washington (0-2) for the second time in as many days. Patrick Johnson (1-0) earned the win, while the Colonials Brian Derner (0-1) suffered the loss.
A 1-for-4 and two RBI performance by Cavasinni led the Tar Heels. Cavasinni extended his hit streak to eight games, dating back to last year, which is a new career-high. The Huntersville, N.C., native has kept the Tar Heels alive in the young season with clutch hitting late in the games.
Patrick Johnson (1-0) earned his seventh career win Saturday in his 15th career start. Johnson allowed one run in the first inning, but dazzled the rest of the way out to hurl seven innings, rendering five hits and registering seven strikeouts. Jimmy Messer pitched 0.2 of an inning allowing one unearned run and walking two. Michael Morin earned his first collegiate save, as the freshman pitched 1.1 innings allowing only one hit and striking out two.
George Washington darted out to a quick lead after a Chris Holland single led to a RBI double by Brendon Kelliher to push the Colonials in front 1-0 in the first. Johnson quickly settled in fanning seven Colonial hitters in his next six innings pitched.
The Tar Heels stranded two runners in the bottom of the second after pair of singles from Jesse Wierzbicki and Seth Baldwin. Carolina was then retired on three pitches in the third inning as Colonial starter Joe Richardson stymied the Carolina batters.
Richardson was extremely effective, allowing only three hits and no runs in six innings pitched. The junior threw less than 65 pitches, while facing 21 Tar Heel batters.
Carolina came alive in the seventh inning as George Washington left-hander Brian Derner entered the game. Wierzbicki's second single of the day started the rally, followed by a Ryan Graepel single to put runners on second and first. In his first collegiate at-bat, Bryn Renner moved the runners to second and third with a hard hit ball to deep in the hole at second base. Renner battled in a nine-pitch at-bat to advance the runners.
An intentional walk to Dillon Hazlett, who recorded a 2-for-3 performance, loaded the bases and set the table for Cavasinni. The senior delivered ripping the first pitch he saw up the middle for a two RBI single to push the Heels in front 2-1. A walk issued to Ben Bunting again loaded the bases before Tommy Coyle earned an RBI with his second hit-by-pitch of the day to extend the lead to 3-1.
Derner continued to struggle as Levi Michael drew a walk to earn an RBI as the Tar Heels pushed in front 4-1. Wierzbicki, with his second at-bat of the frame, ended the inning with a ground out to third. Derner rendered four runs, all earned as the Carolina regained the lead after seven innings.
Messer worked his way into an odd jam in the top of the eighth. After quickly retiring the first two Colonial hitters, a double and walk put runners on first and second. Brendon Kelliher then reached base due to catcher's interference, which loaded the bases. A two-out bases loaded walk plated the Colonials second run of the day.
Morin then entered the game and wriggled his way out of the two-out bases loaded jam with a ground out. Morin, with his second appearance in as many days, quickly retired the Colonials in the ninth to earn his first career save.
George Washington and North Carolina will conclude their three-game series Sunday at 1 pm - both at Boshamer Stadium.
