University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Pittsburgh
No. 6 Carolina Blanks Pitt, Sunday Moved Up To Noon
March 12, 2016 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL --- J.B. Bukauskas struck out a career-high 11 batters over seven shutout innings and Tyler Ramirez drove in three runs to lead No. 6 North Carolina to a 4-0 win over Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. The victory extends Carolina's winning streak to 11 games, the longest active streak in the country. The Tar Heels will go for their third straight series sweep Sunday, with first pitch moved up to noon due to the threat of rain.
Bukauskas (2-0) entered the weekend among the nation's leaders in strikeouts per nine innings, but the sophomore right-hander had yet to pitch beyond 5.1 innings in his first three starts. Saturday saw him at his efficient best, working seven shutout frames while still fanning 11 Panthers. Bukauskas struck out at least one batter in every inning, including three in the top of the third.
Carolina (12-1, 2-0 ACC) pounced early against Pitt starter Aaron Sandefur (1-1), giving Bukauskas a cushion with two runs each in the first and third. Brian Miller led off the first with a single and moved to second on an Adam Pate walk. After Kyle Datres sacrificed both men into scoring position, Ramirez laced a two-run single to make it 2-0 after just four batters.
The top of the order produced again in the third, as Datres' RBI groundout plated Pate, who reached on a bunt single, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. UNC's final run required no such manufacturing as Ramirez blasted his second homer of the year deep to right.
A.J. Bogucki pitched around a pair of hits and a walk over the final two innings to close out the series-clinching win. Carolina has won four straight series to start the season and will go for a third consecutive sweep tomorrow at noon.
Matt Johnson and David Yanni had two hits apiece for the Panthers (6-6, 0-2 ACC), who were shut out for the first time in 2016 after entering the weekend leading the league in runs per game.
Jason Morgan will get the ball for Carolina in Sunday's finale, which will begin at noon due to the threat of rain.
