University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Miami
No. 7 Tar Heels Drop Series Finale, 7-4
April 3, 2016 | Baseball
CORAL GABLES, Fla. --- No. 2 Miami scored five times in the fifth inning and completed a three-game sweep of No. 7 North Carolina with a 7-4 win Sunday afternoon at Mark Light Field. Jacob Heyward's two-run double off Jason Morgan started the scoring, and Johnny Ruiz's RBI single gave the Hurricanes the lead for good. Brian Miller had two doubles among his three hits and drove in three to lead the Tar Heels, who fell to 20-7 and 6-6 in league play with the loss.
Carolina scored first for the third straight game with a 3-run second that was highlighted by Miller's two-run double to left. Brandon Riley got things going against UM starter Danny Garcia with a leadoff single and moved into scoring position thanks to an Adam Pate sacrifice. After a Kyle Datres walk, Zack Gahagan singled home Riley to make it 1-0 before Miller's double extended the lead to three. But the Tar Heels would leave six men on base over the next three innings and Miami (23-4, 10-2 ACC) took advantage.
Morgan was sharp through four shutout innings before allowing the first three batters to reach in the fifth. After his second walk of the frame, A.J. Bogucki (2-1) struck out Zack Collins for the first out of the inning. But Heyward's long double to center scored two, the tying run came home on a wild pitch, and Ruiz lifted a fly ball to right center that was deep enough to score Heyward. Willie Abreu's RBI single made it 5-3, and Andrew Cabezas (2-0) and a quartet of Hurricane relievers would shut the door.
UNC got within two on Miller's RBI double in the eighth to chase home Cody Roberts, but the 'Canes added two insurance runs in the bottom half. UM closer Bryan Garcia got the final four outs for his ninth save of the year.
Carolina out-hit Miami 11-7, led by Miller's three and Riley's two, but the Tar Heels were undone by issuing a season-high nine walks.
Play continues Tuesday at 6 p.m. against High Point in the first of a five-game homestand at Boshamer Stadium.
