University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Towson
No. 4 Carolina Rallies Past Towson, 6-4
March 21, 2007 | Baseball
March 21, 2007
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After spotting visiting Towson four early runs, No. 4 North Carolina rallied and scored what proved to the game-winner on a bases-loaded walk to pinch hitter Kyle Shelton in the eighth inning in a 6-4 victory over the Tigers Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels (20-3) got two hits each from Dustin Ackley and Josh Horton and wrapped up their 19-game home stand with a 16-3 record.
Ackley went 2-for-4 with an RBI for his sixth straight multi-hit game and extended his hitting streak to 15 games, which matches the longest such streak by a Tar Heel since Chris Iannetta hit safely in 23 straight games in 2004. Horton, who was 2-for-3 with two RBI Wednesday, also had a 15-game hitting streak in 2006.
Sophomore left-hander Matt Cox picked up his first career win after getting the final out in the eighth, and closer Andrew Carignan struck out the side in the ninth for his sixth save.
Freshman lefty Rob Catapano helped settle things down the Tar Heels with a career-best 2 2/3 scoreless innings. After helping pick off a runner with the bases loaded to end the inning, he set down all seven batters he faced as Carolina mounted its comeback. Senior right-hander Matt Danford also pitched well, retiring all four batters he faced.
Towson reliever Tyler Travis (1-2) took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits over three innings, and starter Joe Peeler worked four-plus innings and allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks. Ryan Schreiter had three hits to lead the Tigers at the plate.
After scoring two runs against UNC starter Matt Petiton, Towson scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Schreiter doubled to deep right center to plate Steve Yarsinsky, and Brian Conley scored on the throw to second for the pair of first-inning runs. Steve Rice added an RBI single in the third, and a pair of balks in the fourth gave the Tigers their fourth run of the afternoon.
The Tar Heels finally got on the board in the fourth, as Reid Fronk doubled off the wall in right for Carolina's first hit of the day and then came around to score on a single to right by Horton. Carolina then pulled within one with a pair in the fifth, as Gore doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Fronk, and Ackley followed with an RBI single to left to cut the lead to 4-3. Gore's double extended his hitting streak to five games, which matches a career high.
Trailing 4-3, Carolina tied the game in the eighth when Fronk walked and scored on a sac fly by Horton. After an intentional pass to Chad Flack loaded the bases, Shelton came on to pinch hit and coaxed a five-pitch walk from Jon Dupski to drive in the go-ahead run. A third run scored on a Towson throwing error, giving the Tar Heels a 6-4 lead heading into the ninth.
Carolina is back in ACC action this weekend at Virginia Tech, as the Tar Heels and Hokies will play at 3 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. A webcast of all three games will be available through ACCSelect.com.
