University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 6 Tar Heels Host Winthrop Wednesday
March 1, 2016 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL --- After starting the 2016 season with back-to-back series wins over UCLA and Oklahoma State, No. 6 North Carolina hosts Winthrop Wednesday at 3 p.m. in its first midweek contest of the new year. J.T. Rogoszewski will make his UNC debut on the mound against the Eagles, who are 5-3 after dropping two of three to Alabama State over the weekend.
AT A GLANCE
Records: North Carolina 5-1, Winthrop 5-3
Rankings: North Carolina is ranked in each of the national pools, with a high of No. 6 by D1Baseball. Winthrop is unranked.
TV: GoHeelsTV.
On The Web: GoHeels.com • Twitter: @DiamondHeels
| Carolina Probable Starter | Winthrop Probable Starter | |
| Wednesday | RHP J.T. Rogoszewski (Fr.) |
LHP Riley Arnone (So., 0-0, 5.68 ERA, 0.79 WHIP) |
NORTH CAROLINA-WINTHROP SERIES HISTORY
• North Carolina is 16-4 all-time against Winthrop, including a 14-3 record against the Eagles under Mike Fox.
• Winthrop won the first meeting in the series in 1992 but has only been on the right side of the scoreline in three of the 19 games since. The Eagles did, however, take the last meeting. Michael Patrick's three-run homer in the second as Winthrop scored a 3-1 victory over UNC at Boshamer Stadium in 2014. Last season's scheduled meeting was scrapped due to freezing temperatures.
• Carolina had won 10 straight in the series prior to 2014. Winthrop's last win before that came during the 2006 regular season. The Tar Heels got revenge, however, beating the Eagles twice to win the 2006 NCAA Chapel Hill Regional.
• Before last season's cancellation, the two schools had met at least once in each season since the 2005 campaign.
• UNC associate head coach and pitching coach Scott Forbes was an assistant at Winthrop for three seasons from 2003-05.
TAR HEEL BULLPEN IN FINE FORM EARLY
• North Carolina's 5-1 start has been due in large part to the outstanding performance of its bullpen. Through six games, Carolina relievers have allowed three earned runs in 23.0 innings of work for a combined ERA of 1.17.
• RHP Hansen Butler leads the way with a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 innings with one win and one save so far. The sophomore from High Point has 11 strikeouts against just one walk.
• RHP A.J. Bogucki has yet to allow a hit or a walk in 4.0 innings of work. He has seven strikeouts and has only allowed baserunners on a hit by pitch and a dropped third strike.
• LHP Hunter Williams has made the move to the 'pen after featuring as a midweek starter as a freshman. In a team-high five appearances, Williams has not allowed a run in 3.2 innings of work.
• RHP Spencer Trayner has been especially effective in high-leverage situations. Through four appearances, has inherited six baserunners and has stranded all six.
• RHP Cole Aker has earned a decision in all three of his appearances in his freshman season. In 3.1 innings of work, Aker has allowed just one earned run and has two wins.
