Re: UNC-va.tech-Game 1
BY UNC ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
BLACKSBURG, Va. --- Alex Perez and Brendon Hayden homered in a five-run sixth as Virginia Tech beat No. 18 North Carolina 8-3 Friday evening at English Field. Kit Scheetz limited UNC to three runs over seven strong innings as the Hokies beat the Tar Heels for the first time since 2007. Landon Lassiter had three hits and drove in a run for the Tar Heels, who will send J.B. Bukauskas to the mound Saturday afternoon.
Carolina (23-15, 9-10 ACC) scored single runs in the third and fourth and led 2-1 before the Hokie offense caught fire against Zac Gallen (2-3) in the sixth. The Tar Heel right-hander allowed four straight hits to start the inning, including homers to Perez and Hayden, before being replaced by Trevor Kelley.
The Tar Heels looked poised to break it open in the fourth against Scheetz after Logan Warmoth's RBI single put UNC back in front with one out. Warmoth and Korey Dunbar moved into scoring position on the throw, but Scheetz (2-1) retired Adam Pate and Skye Bolt to strand a pair.
Lassiter's third hit of the day - an RBI triple - pulled Carolina within three in the top of the seventh, but the Hokies (19-20, 8-11 ACC) added two more in the bottom half against a trio of Tar Heel relievers.
Perez, Hayden and Sam Fragale each drove in two for the Hokies, who will hand the ball to Jon Woodcock in game two Saturday at 2 p.m.