University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Auburn
Tar Heels Edged by Auburn, 8-7
March 7, 2003 | Baseball
March 7, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Auburn (14-3) defeated North Carolina (7-3), 8-7 on a cold, cloudy Friday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels led 7-3 heading into the ninth inning, but the bullpen was unable to hold that lead as the Tigers put together a five run rally capped off by a game winning, three-run homer by Bobby Huddleston.
Auburn jumped out to an early lead in their first at bat. Three singles in the inning off the bats of Sean Gamble, Javon Moran and Huddleston gave the Tigers a 2-0 advantage.
Carolina put a run on the board in their half of the first and knocked Auburn starter, Arnold Hughey, out of the game after just 1.1 innings pitched by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second. Justin Webb walked to lead off the inning and advanced on a bunt single by Blair Waggett. Chad Prosser and Jeremy Cleveland followed with consecutive RBI singles. After a walk to Sean Farrell, Sammy Hewitt lined a single to right which scored Prosser. The Tar Heels scored their fourth and final run of the inning when Cleveland came home on Ryan Blake's second sacrifice fly in as many innings.
The Tigers threatened but did not score in the top of the fourth. After allowing a double and then single to lead off the inning, Carolina starter Daniel Moore retired three consecutive batters and made a spectacular defensive play in which he jumped up and bare-handed a squeeze attempt by Chuck Jeroloman which looked like it was going over his head, then fired the ball home where catcher Chris Iannetta tagged out Josh Bell trying to score.
The Tar Heels added to their lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Farrell reached on an error and came around to score on Hewitt's fourth home run of the season. Hewitt has been Carolina's most productive hitter so far this season, and this home run gave him three RBIs on the day and 14 on the season.
ut Auburn mounted a comeback with five runs in the top of the ninth inning. With the Tigers trailing 7-5, Huddleston hit a three-run home run to left, giving him five RBIs on the day and putting Auburn ahead 8-7.
Carolina had one final shot in their last at-bat, but Auburn closer Steven Register retired Farrell, Blake, and Mike Daniel to pick up his eighth save of the season.
Carolina and Auburn continue their series Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium. The series finale will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
