Just a week ago, we thought we were still a couple of months away from the end of what looked like it was going to be a tough, but exciting 2020 baseball season for the Diamond Heels. Now, we sit here on March 14th, exactly one month after the beginning of the season, it appears that it is over. A look back at the week that was for the Tar Heel baseball team in what might have been their final games of the 2020 season.
Tuesday: North Carolina 13 Gardner-Webb 6
This was a back and forth game for a while, with the Runnin’ Bulldogs having leads after both the top of the 1st and the 3rd. Both times, the Tar Heels responded and were able to pull away thanks to a five run 5th inning. Both Aaron Sabato and Angel Zarate finished the afternoon 2-3 at the plate, with Sabato cracking another home run over the left field fence to keep his hot streak going. Meanwhile, Zarate turned his two hits into three RBIs, continuing what was a breakout season for him. As a team, the Tar Heels finished with 13 hits and drew eleven walks on their way to their fourth double-digit run output of the season. On the hill, Nik Pry picked up his third win of the season after replacing starter Michael Oh, who had a rough outing. Gage Gillian was also phenomenal, picking up a three-inning save, his first of the season.
Wednesday: North Carolina 9 VMI 2
In what may have been the Tar Heels final game of the season, the Tar Heels had some early struggles before pulling away for a comfortable victory. The Heels once again used a big inning, this time the 7th, to grab and then expand the lead, scoring seven runs in the inning after entering the inning in a tied game. The Heels hit two home runs in the inning, with Sabato smashing what may have been his final home run in a Tar Heel uniform and freshman Patrick Alvarez hitting the first home run of his career. Danny Serretti (RBI single) and Dylan Harris (2-R single) would help give the bullpen plenty of breathing room. Kyle Mott picked up his third win of the season and got some help late in the game from Shawn Rapp and Austin Ellliott, as they shut down the Keydets in the final two innings to preserve the win.
Friday: Duke 0 North Carolina 0 Canceled
Saturday: Duke 0 North Carolina 0 Canceled
Sunday: Duke 0 North Carolina 0 Canceled
It was announced on Thursday that the 2020 season would be canceled because of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States. The NCAA announced on Friday that all spring athletes would receive an extra year of eligibility because of the circumstances. The Tar Heels finish the season 12-7 (0-3).
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