Miami Hurricanes Lose Two of Three at North Carolina

The Miami Hurricanes traveled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina with a chance to grab first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division. The Hurricanes salvaged the final game of the series after UNC won on Friday and Saturday.

The Tar Heels dominated the opener by scoring six runs in the first four innings in a 7-2 victory. Miami ace Jesse Lapore had his worst outing of the season. He last only three official innings. Lapore allowed six runs, five earned, on seven hits and five walks while striking out seven.

North Carolina’s ace J.B. Bukauskas has been one of the best pitchers in the country this season. He went seven innings allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven without allowing a run.

Designated Hitter Ashton McGee, second baseman-first baseman Zach Gahagan and right fielder Brendan Riley led the charge. McGee went 3-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Gahagan was 2-3 with two runs scored and Riley went 2-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.

Miami only had five hits in 30 at-bats in the opener. Their offense has continued to struggle.

The Hurricanes got a little closer in game two, falling 6-3. Jeb Bargfeldt took the loss for Miami on Saturday. He lasted five innings giving up four runs, three earned on two hits and five walks while striking out two.

The common thread through the first two games in the series was the Hurricanes poor defense. Miami committed six errors which amazingly led to only two unearned runs.

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After falling behind 4-0 on Saturday, the Hurricanes came back with three runs in the top of the fifth to get within one run. UNC added two in the bottom of the sixth to end to scoring on the afternoon.

North Carolina starter Luca Dalatri only pitched 4.1 innings. He gave up three runs, two earned on nine hits and four walks while striking out two. Brett Daniels relieved Dalatri and shut the Hurricanes out over 3.2 innings giving up one hit and a walk while striking out two. Josh Hiatt struck out the side in the ninth for his ninth save.

Riley and catcher Cody Roberts were the offensive stars for North Carolina. Riley hit a two run home run, his second on the season and Roberts added a solo shot for his first of the year and scored two runs.

Miami left fielder James Davison went 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI. The Hurricanes had ten hits to the Tar Heels four. Six walks by the Miami pitching staff and four errors were the difference.

Michael Mediavilla saved the Hurricanes from getting swept in the series finale. The junior pitched 6.1 innings, allowing two runs, both earned on two hits and two walks. Frankie Bartow came on in the ninth to get his sixth save.

The Hitting star for Miami was shortstop Brandon Gali who went 2-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Next: Miami Hurricanes Baseball in Danger of Missing NCAA Tournament

Next Up: Miami will travel to Fort Myers to play Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday and host Wake Forest in the three game series next weekend. The series against the Demon Deacons begins an eight game home stand at Mark Light Field.

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