West Virginia fell to the North Carolina Tar Heels on Friday night, losing by a final score of 8-6.
The Mountaineers struck first in the top of the third inning, as junior designated hitter Kyle West skied a home run over the right field wall. West Virginia led 1-0 entering the bottom of the third inning.
North Carolina loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning, and infielder Parks Harber lined a double through the left side of the infield, clearing the bases. After a groundout that advanced Harber to third base, infielder Gavin Gallaher dropped a single into left field to drive him home. The Tar Heels took the lead, 4-1.
West Virginia answered in the top of the fourth inning. Junior second baseman Brodie Kresser began the inning with a single into left field, and West lined a single to the right field wall. Kresser rounded the bases and slid into home plate, dodging the catcher’s tag to score safely. Going into the bottom of the fourth, the Mountaineers still trailed 4-2.
In the top of the sixth inning, sophomore left fielder Sam White reached on an error to the shortstop to begin the inning. Senior third baseman Reed Chumley followed up White by tying the ballgame with a home run going over the left-center field wall. After giving up a single to junior first baseman Grant Hussey, West launched his second home run of the game over the right field wall. West Virginia led 6-4 advancing to the bottom of the sixth inning.
North Carolina responded in the bottom of the seventh as infielder Colby Wilkerson sent a solo home run over the left field wall. Through seven innings, West Virginia held a 6-5 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, catcher Luke Stevenson took the first pitch he saw over the center-field wall to tie the game, 6-6. With a runner on first base, center fielder Vance Honeycutt launched a two-run home run over the left field wall, walking off with an 8-6 win.
Pitcher Matt Poston was awarded the win for the Tar Heels, throwing three hitless innings with four strikeouts.
Senior left-handed pitcher Derek Clark left everything on the mound for the Mountaineers, throwing 144 pitches through eight and a third innings. He struck out seven batters.
West Virginia will retake the field tomorrow, June 8th to play their second game of the Super Regionals against North Carolina. The first pitch from Chapel Hill is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will air on ESPN2.
