Miami drops series finale against No. 15 North Carolina, 18-6
With their second straight top-15 series victory in hand, the Miami Hurricanes couldn’t complete the sweep Sunday. No. 15 North Carolina, which entered the weekend on an 11-game winning streak, got back on track in the series finale with an 18-6 victory over the Hurricanes at Mark Light Field.
The Tar Heels (17-4, 4-2 ACC) scored in six of the first seven innings, highlighted by a six-spot in the sixth.
North Carolina crushed seven homers to salvage the series after the Hurricanes (11-8, 4-2 ACC) held the Tar Heels to two runs and zero extra-base hits across the series’ first 19 innings.
Left fielder Gavin Gallaher led the charge for the Heels, finishing with a career-high four hits and six RBI, including a grand slam.
North Carolina notched 17 hits in the win, as all nine position players reached safely for the visitors.
Sophomore right-hander Matthew Matthijs (8-1) earned the victory in relief. Meanwhile, Miami starter Herick Hernandez (2-2) was tagged with the loss after surrendering five runs over 3 1/3 innings.
In the defeat, freshman Jake Kulikowski smacked his first career home run with a two-run blast in the third.
Next, the Hurricanes will host crosstown foe FIU Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Mark Light Field.
