University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Wake Forest
No. 5 Tar Heels Take Series In Walk-Off Fashion
April 1, 2012 | Baseball
April 1, 2012
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sophomore Parks Jordan lined a single into left field and Michael Russell raced around from second base to score the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth Sunday afternoon as No. 5 North Carolina (22-6, 9-3 ACC) downed Wake Forest (19-11, 5-7 ACC), 4-3. The Tar Heels captured their fourth straight series to open ACC play for the first time since 1990 and have won all seven series to open 2012.
Carolina carried a 3-2 advantage into the final inning Sunday afternoon and was one out away from locking up another series win until Wake Forest catcher Brett Armour battled UNC closer Michael Morin for nine pitches before lining a double into the left field corner.
Evan Stephens then dropped down a drag bunt that Morin fielded and attempted to make an off-balance throw to first but the throw sailed over first baseman Cody Stubbs' head allowing Armour to score and tie the game at 3-3.
Morin picked up the final out of the frame before Michael Russell opened the bottom half with a single lined through the left side. Russell then stole second base and Mike Zolk went down swinging for the first out of the inning. Pinch hitter Tom Zengel was issued an intentional walk putting Parks Jordan in the batter's box.
Jordan slapped the first offering from right-hander Jack Fischer into left field and Russell scored from second to give Carolina the 4-3 lead.
The Tar Heels received an outstanding start from freshman right-hander Benton Moss who struck out nine batter over five innings of work. Moss allowed four hits and two runs, only one of which was earned.
The Demon Deacons struck for an unearned run in the first to take a 1-0 lead before doubling its advantage in the third when Mac Williamson connected on a solo home run to left field.
The Carolina bats broke through in the bottom of the fifth when the first two batters reached on a walk and a hit by pitch. Pinch hitter Brian Holberton dropped down a sacrifice to move the runners up and Chaz Frank slapped a single to the left side to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Wake Forest starter Brian Holmes uncorked a wild pitch with runners on the corners to even the contest at 2-2 before Jacob Stallings snuck a ball inside the bag at third for a RBI double to bump Carolina in front, 3-2.
Junior R.C. Orlan came on in relief of Moss in the fifth and retired all three batters he would face in the inning before tossing a scoreless sixth to keep the Tar Heels in front.
Freshman Mason McCullough and sophomore Tate Parrish combined on a 1-2-3 eighth inning before Morin came on in the ninth.
Lead off man Chaz Frank paced the offense as the junior outfielder went 3-for-4 on the day with a RBI and a run scored.
The Tar Heels captured their fourth straight series to open ACC play for the first time since 1990 and have won all seven series to open the year.
Carolina will host Elon Wednesday before traveling to Coral Gables, Fla. to take on the Miami Hurricanes who trail the Tar Heels by one game in the ACC Coastal standings.
