University of North Carolina Athletics
Baseball Drops 3-2 Contest For First Loss of 2021
February 28, 2021 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels (6-1) fell surrendered its first loss of the season against No. 2/12 Virginia on a sunny Sunday afternoon, 3-2, after clinching the series Saturday on Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium.
After a scoreless first three innings from both sides, Virginia plated the game's first run. An RBI single to right field allowed a run to cross for the Cavaliers, putting them up 1-0 to end the top of the fourth.
Virginia added to their score with a two-run home run to put themselves on top 3-0 at the end of the fifth inning.
Despite earning four hits through the first six innings, North Carolina remained scoreless.
The Tar Heels were finally able to gain momentum, and runs, in the bottom of the seventh inning. Justice Thompson sparked a rally with a single to center field before Tomas Frick drew a walk. Brett Centracchio plated his fifth RBI of 2021 with a single to the left side that scored Thompson.
Later in the frame, a sacrifice fly off of the bat of Jake Holtzapple cut the Virginia lead to one.
Max Alba, in his second appearance for the Tar Heels this season, pitched 5 innings and recorded five strikeouts. Alba allowed five hits and three runs in the loss to Virginia, making him 1-1 on the season.
Joey Lancellotti was electric out of the bullpen for the Tar Heels and threw the four scoreless innings. He recorded six strikeouts, a season-high, and did not issue a walk.
North Carolina will be back in action next weekend at Virginia Tech. The first game is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. in Blacksburg, Va.
Notes:
- Holtzapple recorded his first RBI of the 2021 season
- Justice Thompson went 6-for-10 on the weekend with a pair of singles, a pair of doubles, and a home run
- The Tar Heels bullpen has now allowed one earned run over 22 2/3 innings.
Opening statement
"Those were three unbelievable ballgames. It's hard to believe we're already in ACC play when we usually have 13 or 14 games to learn a little more about our team. Me and Coach O'Connor were talking about that, we're just right in the fire. If you're a baseball person, obviously a lot of people like the long ball, a lot of people like high scoring games, but if you know the game of baseball, those were three really good games. Unbelievable pitching, really good defense, timely hitting. I'm glad we came out on top for two of three. I'm telling the guys, those are the type of series you have to win to make it to Omaha, against a team like Virginia. I was most proud today because [Mike] Vasil had it going. He was pitching really well. He was getting a little bit off the plate and our guys just kept battling. We gave up a two-run homerun, and they didn't quit. They just kept battling. I was proud of our guys the whole weekend, no doubt."
RHP Joey Lancellotti
On being in the bullpen…
"I think that was a big emphasis for us this year was the bullpen. I remember this winter break talking to [Austin] Love about how important our bullpen is going to be this upcoming year. I'm a firm believer that if you have a strong bullpen can be the core of your team.If you can get to the fifth inning being up and have guys you're confident in to take you home, you'll win a lot of games. My role in the bullpen is something I sat down about with the coaches. I was excited about it. I watched all the guys that I figured would be in the pen with me for the rest of the year. I've been pumped. I couldn't wait to start the season with the guys we had in the pen and I think that's going to carry us a long way."
Outfielder Justice Thompson
On this series overall…
"We kept our heads down the entire weekend and we knew all the pressure was on them. We just had to go out and play our game. It went our way Friday and Saturday, and we let it slip away today. We'll be back at it with our heads down tomorrow ready to go to work."
