Heels Score Seven Runs Late To Take Down Xavier, 8-3

Saturday, February 16

Chapel Hill

2 p.m.

North Carolina

2-0

Xavier

0-2

Xavier

North Carolina

February 16, 2019 | Baseball

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By: T.J. Scholl

CHAPEL HILL – No. 5 North Carolina extended the nation's longest home winning streak to 20 games on Saturday after scoring seven runs in the last three innings to take down Xavier, 8-3. Junior Tyler Baum picked up the win after going throwing six innings and only allowing two runs while striking out seven batters. Brandon Martorano went 3-for-3 at the plate while Dylan Harris, Michael Busch and Ike Freeman also recorded multi-hit games.

Key Moments

Freshman Aaron Sabato blasted his first home run of the year in the bottom of the first to give the Heels a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Dylan Harris grounded out to second base with the bases loaded as the Heels looked to break the game open.
In the top of the third inning, Xavier doubled to left-center before singling up the middle to tie the game, 1-1.
In the top of the 5th, Xavier took a 2-1 lead after an infield single and double on the right field line put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly to centerfield brought home the run to break the deadlock.
With one out and runners on the corner in the bottom of the 5th, Caleb Roberts hit in to an inning ending double play as Xavier kept the 2-1 lead.
Coming on as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 6^th, Jackson Hesterlee smacked a two-RBI triple to right field to give the Heels a 3-2 lead.
Ike Freeman's RBI single through the right side with runners on first and third in the bottom of the seventh gave the Heels a 4-2 lead.
Michael Busch launched a 3-run home run in the 8th inning to blow open the game to give the Heels an 8-2 lead.

Notables

Sabato's first collegiate home run came in the bottom of the first inning.
Freeman extended his career best hitting streak to 9 games with a single in the sixth inning. He has also reached base 9 straight games.
Brandon Martorano extended his hitting streak to four games and reached base streak to six games with his double.
This is the second career three-hit game for Martorano, one off his career high.
McGee also extended his reached base streak to six games, dating back to last year.
With the win, Tyler Baum goes to 12-1 in his Tar Heel career and has started all three seasons with at least a 1-0 record.
Sabato has now recorded at least one RBI in his first two collegiate games.
This was the first multi-hit game for Dylan Harris in his Carolina career.
Seven of the nine Tar Heel starters recorded at least one hit.
North Carolina extends the nation's longest home winning streak to 20 games.
Three home runs through the first two games are the most UNC has hit through two games of the season since 2008.

Pitcher Records

W, Tyler Baum (1-0); L, Lane Flamm (0-1)

UP NEXT
• The No. 5-ranked Tar Heels will be back in action against Xavier at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17.

Social Media
• For all the latest on Carolina Baseball, be sure to follow the team at @DiamondHeels on Twitter and @CarolinaBaseball on Instagram.