Roberts Homers Twice, Forbes Earns First Win In 8-1 Rout Versus JMU

Friday, February 19

Chapel Hill, N.C.

3 PM

North Carolina

1-0

James Madison

0-1

James Madison

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Roberts Homers Twice, Forbes Earns First Win In 8-1 Rout Versus JMU

February 19, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Box Score (PDF)

CHAPEL HILL – Behind two Caleb Roberts' home runs and a stellar start from Austin Love on the mound, Head Coach Scott Forbes earned his first victory as North Carolina's Head Coach when UNC routed JMU 8-1 to open up the 2021 season.

Carolina plated two early runs in the opening frame and never looked back in its season-opener against James Madison.

With a 2-0 lead in the third inning, Roberts led off the frame with his first career home run over the right field wall to push the lead to 3-0. With Danny Serretti and Angel Zarate on base an inning later, Roberts belted another home run to extend the Tar Heel lead to 6-0.

Tyler Causey smashed his second-career home run in the fifth inning after Brett Centracchio drew a walk, which halted the Tar Heels scoring at eight runs.

In his first-career start, Love looked immaculate, as he threw 6.0 hitless innings with nine strikeouts, which tied his career high. Nick James threw one inning and struck out one, while Caleb Cozart, who made his first appearance as a Tar Heel, tossed the final two innings.

Roberts finished the day 3-for-5 with five RBI to lead the Tar Heel offense. In his first start in Carolina Blue, freshman Jack Riedel posted a two-hit game with a second-inning double and a single in the fifth.

The Tar Heels return to Boshamer Stadium tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Notes

Caleb Roberts hit his first home run of his career in the bottom of the third inning
He blasted his second in the fourth inning, making him the first player since Aaron Sabato on March 6, 2020.
Roberts' five RBI were the most by a Tar Heel on opening day since Chris Maples and Adam Greenburg had six and five, respectively, in the 2001 opener against James Madison
Austin Love tied his career high with nine strikeouts.
Head Coach Scott Forbes earned his first win as a head coach.
Jack Riedel recorded his first hit as a Tar Heel.
Brett Centracchio recorded his first RBI in Carolina Blue.
Caleb Cozart made his first appearance out of the bullpen for Carolina.
Justice Thompson posted his first-career hit as a Tar Heel

Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Scott Forbes

On his first win…
The biggest thing for me today was how happy I was for our guys. After not playing for so long and being able to see the joy in their eyes was very special. I played and I know how much was taken away from our team. To be able to all be out there together and to see them compete was the biggest thing for me today.

On Austin Love's performance…
He set the tone for us today. We talk all the time about pitching and defense and when he throws the ball like he did today, we're going to have a chance to win every game.

Outfielder Caleb Roberts

On his performance…
When the season got cut short, I had only played in three games. Now that I am older and have been here for two seasons, I have been able to slow the game and I believe my approach has gotten a lot better at the plate. We knew that he could throw off-speed pitches early in counts so when I saw one, I was able to put a good swing on it.