May 7, 2011
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -
North Carolina's Patrick Johnson recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts in seven innings, third baseman Colin Moran ripped a three-run double in the fourth inning and the 18th-ranked Tar Heels defeated Maryland 5-0 Friday night.
Johnson (8-1), who had at least one strikeout in each of his seven innings, struck out two in the second, third and fourth innings, then fanned the side in the sixth. The senior right-hander walked four and allowed four hits, but worked out of trouble the few times he got into it.
Maryland starter Sander Beck (2-5) struck out five, but also issued five walks and hit two batters to assist the Tar Heels (35-10, 14-8) in scoring a run in the third and three in the fourth.
Carolina's runs came after Maryland (20-30, 5-20) had its two best opportunities to score; the Terps loaded the bases in the top of the third and had two runners on in the fourth, but were unable to cash in for runs.
Back-to-back singles by center fielder Korey Wacker and right fielder Charlie White with one out in the third put Maryland a hit away from taking the lead. Second baseman Ryan Holland was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Johnson struck out left fielder Austin Kilbourne to end the inning.
The Terps stranded two more in the fourth. Designated hitter Alex Ramsay doubled and third baseman Jake Stinnett drew a walk, but neither was able to advance past that. They had few good chances after that, as Johnson, who has struck out 10 or more three times this year, settled in.
North Carolina got its first run after Beck appeared to be on his way to a quick third inning. He put down the first two batters on just four pitches, but then issued back-to-back walks and gave up a single to center fielder Ben Bunting for a 1-0 Tar Heel lead.
A single, bloop double and hit batsman loaded the bases in the fourth for Moran, who broke the game open with a bases-clearing double to the gap in left-center field.
Beck, combined with lefty reliever Eric Potter, held the Tar Heels to five hits on the day. Potter entered in the fifth and retired the first seven batters he faced, but North Carolina tacked on an insurance run in the seventh.
Tar Heel relievers R.C. Orlan and Shane Taylor combined to pitch a perfect final two innings to close it out.
Saturday's game, set for 1 p.m., will be broadcast on the Regional Sports Network.
Note: Friday's game, scheduled for 7 p.m., was delayed one hour and six minutes due to severe thunderstorms in the area.
