Thompson, Love Shine In 3-2 Win Over No. 2/12 Virginia

Thursday, February 25

Chapel Hill, N.C.

4 PM

North Carolina

Virginia

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

February 25, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL – In its first game against ACC competition during the 2021 slate, North Carolina (5-0) earned a 3-2 win over No. 2/12 Virginia (3-2) on a sun-soaked Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium on Thursday.

Just as Virginia had a glimmer of hope with a potential game-tying home run flying towards the center field wall in the ninth inning, Justice Thompson jumped and slammed into the padded outfield wall to make an astounding catch to preserve a 3-2 lead.

A batter later, Connor Ollio slammed the door to earn his second save of the season and his sole punch out of the evening.

The Tar Heels jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after a pair of two-out hits from Caleb Roberts and Justice Thompson. After Roberts fired a single to right field and stole second, Thompson sent a rocket down the first-base line that was just out of reach of a diving Cavalier and North Carolina claimed the first lead of the contest.

Johnny Castagnozzi extended the UNC lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning when he launched his first-career home run to right field.

Thompson crushed his second home run of the season in the sixth inning, which traveled 415 feet, to push the lead to 3-0, in favor of North Carolina.

Virginia posted two runs in the eighth, but the Tar Heel bullpen ended the Cavaliers' scoring there.

Austin Love turned in his second-consecutive impressive start of the season against UVA's batters. The redshirt sophomore tossed a career-high 7.1 innings which yielded three hits, two runs, both earned, two walks and six strikeouts.

Thompson ended the night 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a home run.

The Atlantic Coast Conference made history today with an all Black umpire crew for the series. It marked the first time an all Black crew has worked a game for a Power 5 Conference or in Major League Baseball.

Veteran umpires Linus Baker, Damien Beal, Greg Street and Randy Watkins make up the crew.

The Tar Heels look to earn the series win tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Scott Forbes
"Austin Love, Justice Thompson, our outfield play, and Caleb Roberts really showed up today. The other guy I wanted to point out was Jake Holtzapple. He stepped in today and hit two bullets. A guy like that has been in our program so long and been through all he's been through, it was fun to see him play well. Connor Ollio was great, who moved into the bullpen for this year. He was in our rotation last year. It shows the character of him, stepping into that with no problem. It was fun to watch the guys compete."

Outfielder Justice Thompson
On ever playing a game like this before, with speed, power, defense…
"I'll be completely honest; I don't think I've ever had a game like that. It was awesome to go out there and help the team win in every way I could."

On catch to rob the potential home run…
"I was trying to watch the ball and do everything I could to make sure it wasn't a home run. And I did just that."

RHP Austin Love
On changes since last spring…
"Last spring, I didn't have as much fastball command as I do now. Working ahead on hitters definitely helps. I know I can get people out, so I feel like once I get ahead with the fastball I can put them away."