University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Auburn
Auburn Completes Sweep of Tar Heels With 13-5 Victory
March 9, 2003 | Baseball
March 9, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Auburn (16-3) defeated North Carolina (7-5), 13-5 on Sunday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. The largest crowd of the season came out with hopes of seeing the Tar Heels avoid being swept by the 13th ranked Tigers. But Carolina's pitchers were again unable to subdue Auburn's offense as they exploded for 13 runs on 18 hits. This weekend marks the first time Carolina has been swept at home in a three-game series since Wake Forest came to Boshamer Stadium and handed the Tar Heels three straight losses in the 2001 season.
Auburn scored first with a run in the top of the first inning. Clete Thomas led off the game with a solid single to left. Sean Gamble then followed with a sacrifice bunt attempt which UNC pitcher Garry Bakker fielded but threw down the line, allowing Thomas to score the game's first run. The Tigers would add two runs in the top of the second to go up 3-0.
Carolina put their first run on the board in the bottom half of the third inning. Sean Farrell and Blair Waggett led off the inning with consecutive doubles to bring the Tar Heels within two runs.
The Tar Heels pulled even with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sammy Hewitt led off the inning with a walk and then with two outs, Chris Iannetta drove a two-run home run over the left field wall, his first homer of the season.
The Tigers reclaimed the lead for good in the next inning when pinch hitter Josh Bell crushed a three-run home run over the left-center field wall, driving in Tug Hulett and Kyle Bohm and giving Auburn a 6-3 advantage.
After scoring once in the top of the sixth, Auburn put four more runs on the board in the top of the seventh inning. The Tigers had three hits and the Carolina contributed with two errors in the inning to put Auburn up 11-3.
Carolina senior leftfielder Sean Farrell was one of the lone bright spots for the Tar Heels on the afternoon. Farrell went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a solo homer in the seventh inning, his first of the season.
The Tar Heels continue their long homestand with games against Ball State on Monday and Tuesday. The starting time for both games is 2:00 p.m. Admission for Monday's game will be free for all fans.
