No. 2 North Carolina Evens Series with No. 1 Miami, 10-6
May 16, 2008
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CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – Sophomore third baseman Mark Sobolewski and junior first baseman Yonder Alonso both homered for No. 1 Miami, but No. 2 North Carolina (44-10, 21-7 ACC) jumped out to a nine-run lead and held on to defeat the Hurricanes, 10-6, Friday night to even the Atlantic Coast Conference series in front of a sellout capacity crowd of 3,250 at Mark Light Field. UNC’s Seth Williams drove in three runs and starter Adam Warren (8-1) no-hit Miami for five innings in handing the Hurricanes (43-7, 23-4 ACC) just its seventh loss of the season.
Dennis Raben was the lone Hurricane with multiple hits finishing 2-for-4. He broke up the no-hitter with a single to left in the fifth inning. UM starter Eric Erickson (7-1) lost for the first time allowing seven runs, five earned, on 10 hits in five innings. Alex Koronis, P.J. Fisher, Kyle Bellamy and Carlos Gutierrez pitched the final four innings with Gutierrez striking out the side in his inning of work.
Warren and reliever Brian Moran combined for 12 strikeouts. Rob Wooten pitched the final 1 1/3 innings. Right fielder Tim Fedroff, first baseman Dustin Ackley and second baseman Kyle Seager each had three hits for the Tar Heels who had 16 hits in the contest.
Miami headed to the bottom of the ninth trailing 10-5. Adan Severino and Dave DiNatale led off with back-to-back singles. With one out, Blake Tekotte walked the bases loaded. After Jemile Weeks flew out to right field, Alonso drew an RBI bases loaded getting Miami within 10-6. After taking the first pitch for a strike, a short check swing from Sobolewski induced a ground out to first base to end the game.
UNC tacked on a run in the top of the fifth to go ahead, 10-4. Three innings later, Alonso launched a solo home run to right field – his 18th of the season – in the bottom of the eighth bringing Miami within, 10-5.
The Hurricanes started their rally in the bottom of the sixth loading the bases for Sobolewski. He knocked a 2-2 pitch over the left field fence for his first career grand slam bringing Miami within, 9-4.
Williams hit a two-run double down the left field line moving the Tar Heels ahead, 6-0, in the top of the fourth.
Federowicz’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth extended it to 7-0. Fedroff’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth extended the Carolina lead to 9-0.
-Sophomore third baseman Mark Sobolewski hit his first career grand slam in the bottom of the fourth. It was Sobolewski’s
– The five grand slams hit by the Hurricanes this season tie for the second-most in a single season with 2002 and 2004 teams. The 1998 team hit seven in a season.
– Mark Sobolewski’s grand slam in the fourth inning made it the first time since 1976 that the Hurricanes have hit grand slams on consecutive days against the same opponent. Yonder Alonso hit a grand slam in theMarch 13 and 14 1976 Rick Montoni and Randy Guerra.
Miami and North Carolina will wrap up the three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be televised on the Regional Sports Network (FSN Florida/SunSports/Comcast SportsNet). Senior right-hander Enrique Garcia (5-1) will make his final regular season weekend start for the Hurricanes at Mark Light Field. Miami will also recognize public address announcer Jay Rokeach who is in his 40th year as the PA announcer for the Hurricanes.
Game Notes
-Sophomore third baseman Mark Sobolewski hit his first career grand slam in the bottom of the fourth. It was Sobolewski’s seventh home run of the season.
– The five grand slams hit by the Hurricanes this season tie for the second-most in a single season with 2002 and 2004 teams. The 1998 team hit seven.
– Mark Sobolewski’s grand slam in the fourth inning made it the first time since 1976 that the Hurricanes have hit grand slams on consecutive days against the same opponent. Yonder Alonso hit a grand slam in the series opening win over the Tar Heels. Rick Montoni and Randy Guerra did it back on March 13 and 14 in 1976.
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