Duke Falls to No. 10 North Carolina in Finale

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Sunday, March 20

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

1:00 PM

Duke University

North Carolina

Duke Falls to No. 10 North Carolina in Finale

3/20/2016 6:10:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – For the second straight game, No. 10 North Carolina jumped out to an early lead and the Tar Heels went on to capture the series finale with an 8-2 victory over Duke Sunday afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

North Carolina (17-2, 4-1 ACC) scored three unearned runs in the top of the first and Duke (10-10, 1-4 ACC) was unable to score until the ninth, going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position for the game. UNC's Logan Warmoth had two key hits, knocking a two-run triple in the first and adding a two-run single in the seventh.

“[North Carolina] did a good job of being clutch,” said head coach Chris Pollard. “[Tyler] Ramirez had a couple of really clutch hits for them and the big hit by [Logan] Warmoth there in the seventh. That was the difference. We had plenty of opportunities to have our own clutch hits, we just didn't get it. Credit North Carolina. They're playing very well right now and they're playing with a lot of confidence.”

Tar Heel center fielder Tyler Ramirez reached base in all five plate appearances, drawing three walks while adding a single and a home run. His fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field in the third, extended the North Carolina lead to 5-0.

The Tar Heels tacked on another run in the fifth, receiving back-to-back one-out singles from Adam Pate, Kyle Datres and Ramirez. Warmoth's two-out, two-run base hit in the seventh brought the margin to 8-0 in North Carolina's favor.

Duke starter Brian McAfee (2-2) pitched well in the loss, scattering six hits over 6.0 innings. He allowed six runs (only three earned), struck out six and walked two. His counterpart, UNC's Jason Morgan (2-1), tossed 7.0 scoreless frames to collect the win. Morgan allowed five hits, fanned five and walked one.

Freshman Kennie Taylor recorded his first collegiate hit, lacing a ball inside the left field line for a ninth-inning pinch-hit double. Taylor later scored on a Tar Heel throwing error following Jalen Phillips' RBI groundout. Freshman Griffin Conine, who walked to lead off the ninth, also scored on the play.

Sophomore Jack Labosky and senior Nick Hendrix each threw a scoreless inning in relief.

Duke concludes its 12-game homestand Tuesday, March 22, hosting East Carolina at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

#GoDuke