Carlson Pitches Diamond Heels To Series Win Over NC State

Friday, May 12

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7 p.m.

North Carolina

32-17, 13-11

NC State

31-17, 10-15

NC State

North Carolina

Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH

May 13, 2023 | Baseball

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By: UNC Athletics Communications

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Max Carlson tossed a career-high 7 2/3 innings, Casey Cook had three hits and two RBI and North Carolina cruised to a 9-3 victory over NC State on Friday to clinch its second straight season series win over the Wolfpack.

Carlson (4-1) struck out four, did not issue a walk and yielded just two runs on three hits in his first start since April 21 against Boston College. It was the fourth time this season that he had gone at least seven innings.

"It's been a while; I've had some struggles recently, and it's really good to be out there and help my team win," Carlson said. "Over the last couple of weeks, I've just learned to have fun. And that's the most important thing about this game. It will keep me loose."

Dating back to his last outing on May 3 at East Carolina, the right-hander tossed 9.2 consecutive scoreless innings before Jacob Cozart homered with two outs in the seventh.

Carlson retired the first nine hitters before allowing a hit but only faced the minimum through 7 2/3 innings as Noah Soles was erased on a strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play to end the fourth.

"We still feel like he is an elite guy who can match up with anybody," UNC Head Coach Scott Forbes said. "I'm proud of him. He's a team guy. He goes to the bullpen; he doesn't bat an eye. He helped us win that one-run game at East Carolina because his attitude is good. And then he gets rewarded for being back into the rotation."

The Tar Heels have won four in a row and seven of nine after being swept at home by Boston College and have won back-to-back ACC series.

UNC scored six runs across the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take command of the game, scoring their first four runs with two outs.

Jackson Van De Brake had a two-out RBI single in the third to open the scoring.

Mac Horvath and Tomas Frick, who each had two hits and two runs scored, slapped back-to-back singles to start the fourth, and Johnny Castagnozzi delivered a two-run, two-out single to drive them in. Two batters later, Cook singled up the middle to plate Castagnozzi.

Cook extended his on-base streak to a UNC freshman record 38 games.

Horvath smashed his 21st homer of the season in the fifth, and Cook drove home Castagnozzi again in the sixth.

Castagnozzi was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.

UNC scored three runs in the seventh without the benefit of a hit. A pitch hit Vance Honeycutt to lead off the inning before his teammates drew five walks – three with the bases loaded.

NC State scored two runs in the eighth, the first off a solo homer by Eli Serrano and the second on a single by Payton Green.

Wolfpack starter Matt Willadsen (5-4) took the loss, surrendering four runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings. Kevin Eaise pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for North Carolina.

The Tar Heels and Wolfpack will conclude their series Saturday at 2 p.m. inside Boshamer Stadium.