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Diamond Heels Get First Run-Rule Sweep in Program History
The Diamond Heels made program history this weekend with a three game sweep of the Le Moyne Dolphins from the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Tar Heels improved to 11-1-1 overall this season, while the Dolphins are still looking for their first win in their inaugural season in Division 1. The Heels offense exploded for 49 runs across only 21 innings of play.
History
The run-rule sweep over Le Moyne was the first such sweep in Diamond Heels history. In game three, UNC batted around the order, scoring 9 runs, and chased the opposing starter in the first inning for the first time since at least 2019. This was UNC’s fourth straight run-rule victory. Several players made their Carolina debut this weekend, getting vital live reps. Jadyn Nunez hit a grand slam in his first at bat for the Heels in game three.
Game One
Diamond Heels ace Jason Decaro picked up his third win of the season as the Heels beat the Dolphins in the series opener 3-16 in 7 innings. Decaro went 5 innings giving up 9 hits and 3 runs while recording 5 strikeouts. Jake Cackovic came in for an inning of relief, followed by Riley Leatherman. Leatherman recorded a walk and a strikeout in 1 inning pitched.
Schaffner, Paulsen, Hull, Hynek, and Nicholson all had 2 hits. Gavin Gallaher and Cooper Nicholson each had homeruns. The Heels plated 5 in the 1st, two in the 2nd, two in the 4th, and seven in the 5th. The Dolphins scored two in the 2nd and one in the 3rd. AJ Petraitis got the loss for Le Moyne.
Game Two
Ryan Lynch got the start on Saturday, picking up his first win of the season in a 12-2 victory in 7 innings. Carolina and Le Moyne would trade runs in the 2nd before the Tar Heels opened it up with seven runs in the 4th and four runs in the 6th. Lynch pitched 6 innings and recorded 5 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts. Mathhew Matthijs came in to close. Jake Schaffner and Macon Winslow each recorded 3 hits and Perry Hargett recorded 2 of his own. Paulsen, Hull, and Hynek each got a hit apiece. Mitchell Earle took the loss for the Dolphins.
Game Three
Folger Boaz got the Sunday start, picking up his 2nd win of the season in a 21-1 win over Le Moyne. Billy Canale got the loss for the Dolphins. The Heels broke this one open early, with nine runs in the 1st and five more runs 5th. The Dolphins would get their lone run of the game in the 3rd as well. The Tar Heels would add 6 more runs in the 5th and 1 more run in the 6th to finish this one off. Erik Paulsen got 3 hits while Colin Hynek recorded 2 hits. Sowers, Gallaher, Howe, Black, Nicholson, French, and Nunez each recorded 1 hit each.
Moving Forward
The Diamond Heels responded to the tie against ECU with a run of dominance this week. The Heels scored 79 runs across 37 innings of play and 5 games. That’s good for 2.1 runs per inning and almost 16 runs per game. Not lost in the big score numbers is the ability to get several young and developing players into a game for live reps. Coach Forbes spoke at lengths about the value of doing so for player development. UNC faces the Elon Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon at 4pm at Boshamer Stadium. The Game will be broadcast on ACCNX.
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