University of North Carolina Athletics
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No. 5 Tar Heels Drop Series Finale At NC State
April 17, 2011 | Baseball
April 17, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - The big inning killed the Tar Heels Sunday afternoon at Dail Park as NC State put up 10 runs in two innings to claim the series finale 10-2. Carolina suffered its worst loss since a 10-2 setback against Wake Forest on March 12, while the Wolfpack swept the season series from the Tar Heels for the first time since 1997. UNC will look to rebound Tuesday when it hosts Coastal Carolina at 6 p.m.
Carolina fell to 12-6 in conference play with all six losses coming on the road with a pair at Wake Forest (March 12-13), one at Florida State (April 8) and the three at NC State this weekend.
The Tar Heels allowed back-to-back big innings to the Wolfpack as NC State posted a four-spot in the bottom of the fifth followed by a six-spot in the bottom half of the sixth inning.
Carolina did not have a lead off batter reach base in any inning and managed to break up the shutout with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to provide the final margin of 10-2.
Starter Chris Munnelly fared well after a shaky start at Florida State as he threw four innings allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out four batters.
Munnelly departed in the bottom of the fifth after allowing a lead off single and a walk. Michael Morin allowed a bunt single to load the bases before picking up a strikeout for the first out of the inning.
The Wolfpack would pick up back-to-back two-run hits to make the score 4-0 but it could have been more had right fielder Seth Baldwin cut down a fifth run at the plate.
NC State would go for six runs on six hits, including three doubles, in the bottom of the sixth to blow the game open and take a 10-0 lead after six complete.
The Tar Heels moved one runner to third base through the first eight inning when Levi Michael doubled with two outs in the sixth and moved to third on a ground out but was stranded there.
Carolina managed to break up the shutout in the top of the ninth as Chaz Frank drew a one out walk and stole second base before Matt Roberts doubled down the left field line to make it a 10-1 ball game.
An infield single by Tom Zengel put runners on the corners for Brian Holberton who reached for the third time in the game with a RBI single to center field.
A hit by pitch would load the bases but a liner to short and a strikeout would end any threat the Tar Heels would mount as the Wolfpack took the game, 10-2.
The series sweep was the first for the Wolfpack since 1997 when the Tar Heels were also swept in Raleigh.
Carolina will not have much time to think about the loss, however, as the Tar Heels will welcome in Coast Carolina on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. midweek tilt before Miami comes to Chapel Hill for a three-game set beginning Friday night.
