The Hurricanes lost the first game of a 3-game series vs the #10 North Carolina Tar Heels 7-2 on Friday.

The Heels immediately struck in the bottom of the first, two singles put runners on the corners, and a walk gave UNC the bases loaded with one out. An RBI groundout scored UNC’s first run of the day, and another walk once again loaded the bases for UNC, this was followed by yet another walk, which scored UNC’s second run, making the game 2-0. Fortunately a fielder’s choice ended the inning for Lepore.

In the bottom of the second Lepore got the first two outs quickly, but another walk gave UNC a runner, and after the runner stole second, a single drove him in, and North Carolina led 3-0.

In the bottom of the third things continued to go wrong for Miami. A single was then followed up by an error from Michael Burns that let the runners move two bases, with one of them scoring, and the game was 4-0. A walk then gave UNC runners at the corners with no outs, and a sac-fly scored the runner from third, making the game 5-0.

In the bottom of the fourth the Tar Heels added on even more runs. After a single followed by a HBP gave UNC two men on with no outs, Jim Morris pulled Jesse Lepore in favor of Ryan Guerra. Guerra then walked the first man he faced to load the bases up for UNC, and a sac-fly scored a run, fortunately no more damage was allowed, and UNC led 6-0.

In the bottom of the sixth, two singles from UNC gave them runners at the corners with one out, and an RBI groundout scored UNC’s seventh and mercifully last run on the night, making the game 7-0.

In the top of the eighth two walks gave Miami a chance to at least avoid a shutout, and they did just that when Carl Chester hit an RBI single to make the game 7-1. A walk from Romy Gonzalez then loaded the bases, and a wild pitch that let Johnny Ruiz come home gave the Hurricanes their second run of the night.

In the top of the ninth the Hurricanes were quickly retired, and UNC won 7-2.

Game Stats:

Winning Pitcher: J.B Bukauskas (4-0, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 7.0 IP)

Losing Pitcher: Jesse Lepore (1-3, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 0 K, 3.0 IP)

Save: None

Box Score:

Next Game:

Tomorrow, March 25, 4:00 P.M Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Jeb Bargfeldt (1-1, 2.08 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5

Television: ACC Network Extra