UVA downs UNC in ACC opener
CHAPEL HILL, Nc. (CBS19 SPORTS)-- No. 17 Virginia becomes the final undefeated D1 baseball team in the country as they down no. 14 North Carolina in their ACC opener 7-3. This serves as the 5th straight win over the Tar Heels as the Cavaliers start the season 13-0 for the fourth time in program history.
Virginia jumped out early as they scored the first six runs of the game in the first two innings, knocking out UNC starting pitcher Max Carlson in the second inning. Playing in his first ACC contest, Ethan O’Donnell made it 6-0 with a three-run home run to left field, his third homer of the season.
The Cavalier bullpen combination of Angelo Tonas and Jake Berry did not allow an earned run over the final five innings. Berry struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth and recorded his second, three-inning save of the season. Jake Gelof became the sixth member of UVA’s 30-home run club with a solo shot to right center in the sixth inning. He’s the first Cavalier to hit 30 home runs in a career since Mark Reynolds hit 35 from 2002-04.
Virginia snapped North Carolina’s seven-game win streak and will return to play for a double header in Chapel Hill Saturday at 1pm.