University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Oklahoma State
Sutherland Caps Sweep, No. 10 Tar Heels Win 4-3
February 28, 2016 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL --- Eli Sutherland's two-run single in the bottom of the ninth gave No. 10 North Carolina its third consecutive walk-off win as the Tar Heels rallied past No. 11 Oklahoma State 4-3 Sunday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. The victory capped Carolina's first sweep of a ranked opponent since taking three at No. 23 Virginia in 2012.
OSU (2-5) took an early lead for the second straight day on a Donnie Walton two-run homer in the first. Walton had three of the Cowboys' nine hits on the day and scored twice.
Carolina (5-1) tied it with single runs in the first and third. Logan Warmoth doubled home Kyle Datres in the first before Tyler Ramirez plated the freshman with a double of his own in the third.
Oklahoma State regained the lead on Dustin Williams' RBI single in the fifth, and the two bullpens dominated from there until Sutherland's heroics in the ninth.
Tyler Buffett relieved Jensen Elliott in the fifth and worked 3.1 scoreless innings before walking Tyler Lynn to start the home half of the ninth. Buffett was replaced by Trey Cobb (0-3), who walked Brandon Riley ahead of Cody Roberts' sacrifice. With runners on second and third, Sutherland grounded an 0-2 pitch past a diving Walton to give the Tar Heels their third win in a row in their last at-bat.
The UNC bullpen was outstanding in relief of Jason Morgan, who was lifted with one out in the fifth. After OSU took the lead on Williams' single, the quartet of A.J. Bogucki, Spencer Trayner, Hunter Williams and Hansen Butler (1-0) worked 4.2 shutout innings and allowed just three hits while striking out five and walking none.
Carolina returns to action Wednesday, March 2, at 3 p.m. against Winthrop.
