CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Georgia Tech baseball scored two in the ninth and forced bases-loaded and two outs put the tying run 90 feet away, but a flyout stalled the comeback effort as it fell 5-4 to No. 20 North Carolina on Friday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets (16-5, 3-1 ACC) struck first on a Drew Burress solo home run in the first inning to put him at 14 on the season. Tech then went up 2-0 in the second on an RBI double from Carson Kerce.
But the Tar Heels (19-4, 5-2 ACC) battled back, scoring five unanswered over the next two innings to create its lead.
From there, both bullpens battled with Tech’s combination of RHP Terry Busse, RHP Brett Thomas, RHP Ben King and RHP Michal Kovala combining for four one-hit innings to keep the deficit at three runs.
Facing familiar territory, Tech’s offense went to work, loading the bases and having Matthew Ellis draw an RBI walk to score its first run. Then Mike Becchetti drove home Trey Yunger on a sac fly to close the gap to one. Cam Jones then drew a two-out walk to reload the bases before Parker Brosius popped up a 2-2 pitch.
Kerce and Yunger led the way with two hits apiece. Tech finished with nine hits on the day, but left 12 men on, having only one hit with runners in scoring position.
UNC was led by Alberto Osuna, who had two hits, including a two-RBI double. RHP Matthew Matthijs (9-1) received the win, pitching 4.0 innings of one-hit work. UNC finished with seven left on and 2-for-6 with RISP.
Georgia Tech will continue its series against North Carolina on Saturday, March 23. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra. With weather in the area, check ramblinwreck.com and @GTBaseball on X for any schedule updates.
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T9 | Sac fly for @BecchettiMike brings Tech within one!
Runners on first and second, 1 out
GT 4 | UNC 5 pic.twitter.com/5O11QzEmEo
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
T9 | @matthew_ellis35 ! He draws the bases-loaded walk to climb within two with no outs!
GT 3 | UNC 5 pic.twitter.com/PNRWKfutZU
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
.@mynameismiggi keep passing it back, keeping the deficit to three runs.
One more shot for the bats! pic.twitter.com/fEt8aCv3NI
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
B7 | @bwking46 comes in and keeps the deficit at three runs pic.twitter.com/iEqvdV7G8q
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
.@terrybusse comes in to put up a zero as the Jackets trail 5-2 pic.twitter.com/onzhy6afQ1
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
Impressed with @GTBaseball's approach early on against UNC LHP Folger Boaz, who has been hit hard when trying to work the outside corner. Bobby Zmarzlak and Carson Kerce (pictured) deliver back to back doubles to oppo gap on 93 mph fastballs on the outside corner. 2-0 GT, T2. pic.twitter.com/RDPi5zB5Zl
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) March 22, 2024
Another K for @mason_patel and another zero put up by the Jackets#WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/k6FJeWsSYi
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
BACK TO BACK DOUBLES!! Bobby Z laces one to right center and then @CarsonKerce brings him home with another double!#WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/ersmT0azGP
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
WHAT A START!@drew_burress08 launches his 14th home run of the season!!#WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/p5v5226osq
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
Today's business attire 👔#WreckHavoc x #StingEm pic.twitter.com/DG6kWjXKIG
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 22, 2024
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