No. 9 Carolina Hangs On For 6-5 Win

Saturday, February 18

Chapel Hill

2:00 PM

North Carolina

2-0

Kentucky

0-2

Kentucky

North Carolina

February 18, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL --- Kyle Datres drove in three runs and Josh Hiatt picked up his second four-out save in as many days as No. 9 North Carolina held off a late rally to beat Kentucky 6-5 Saturday at Boshamer Stadium. Jason Morgan allowed just one run on five hits over 5.2 innings to get the win for the Tar Heels, who will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon at 1.

Brian Miller added two hits and an RBI single in support of Morgan, who has moved into the Saturday starting role after working Sundays as a sophomore. After surrendering a run on two hits in the top of the first, Morgan limited the Wildcats (0-2) to just three singles and did not allow a baserunner past second base.

Carolina took a 3-1 lead with runs in the second, fourth and fifth. Twice it was Datres driving home his classmate Zack Gahagan, who had a hit and drew two of UNC's nine walks on the night.

Brett Daniels replaced Morgan with two gone in the sixth and got Storm Wilson to ground out with the bases loaded to end the threat.

The next few innings were an adventure for the two bullpens, as the teams combined to use 12 relievers on the night with just three retiring more than two batters. Carolina padded its lead with three runs in the sixth without recording a hit, but Kentucky rallied for three of its own in the top of the seventh. A key play came with one gone in the seventh when Kole Cottam lashed a double to right center off Trevor Gay. Two runs scored, but Miller relayed to Logan Warmoth, whose throw to Cody Roberts narrowly beat Tristan Pompey at the plate.

UK got the tying run to the plate against Hiatt in the ninth, but the redshirt freshman struck out Luke Heyer to end it.

Zach Reks had four hits for the Wildcats and has now reached base nine times in 10 plate appearances on the weekend.

The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday and freshman Luca Dalatri will get the ball for UNC. Live coverage of the game will be available via ACC Network Extra.