Key Highlights
- First baseman Erik Paulsen went 6-for-10 with six RBIs and his fifth homer of the season, while outfielder Cooper Nicholson added two home runs. Here is a recap of each game. Game 1 - UNC 16, Lemoyne 3 (7 innings)A disciplined, power-heavy lineup lifted North Carolina to a 16-3 run-rule win over visiting Le Moyne on Friday. The Tar Heels paired patience with pop, working a season-high 10 walks while striking out only five times.
- They grabbed control with a five-run first inning, sparked by a two-out, bases-clearing double to right-center from Nicholson. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGavin Gallaher followed with a two-run homer in the second and finished his night with a home run and three walks.
- Colin Hynek tripled off the wall in the fourth and reached safely in all five plate appearances, tallying a triple, double and three walks. A seven-run fifth turned the game into a rout, capped by Nicholson’s two-run shot to left.
- Four Tar Heels made their collegiate debuts, including pitchers Jake Cackovic and Riley Leatherman, who each worked one inning and combined for three strikeouts while allowing just one baserunner. Jason DeCaro (3-0) earned the win, allowing three runs — two earned — on nine hits with five strikeouts. Game 2 - UNC 12, Lemoyne 2 (7 innings)Preseason All-American Ryan Lynch picked up his first win of the season as North Carolina cruised past Le Moyne 12-1 in seven innings on Saturday. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLynch worked six innings, allowing one run with six strikeouts before veteran right-hander Matthew Matthijs closed it out in the seventh, ending the game with a strikeout. Carolina’s offense started slower than in Friday’s opener, and the Dolphins struck first.
- But a seven-run fourth inning blew it open.