Feb. 11, 2001

Box Score & Play-by-Play

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Russ Adams's three-run triple in the bottom of the ninth inning propelled North Carolina to a 7-6 baseball win over James Madison Sunday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. Carolina improves to 64-2 in non-conference home games since 1998.

Jason Howell pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief for the win, while JMU closer Brent Metheny gave up all three runs in the ninth for the loss.

Carolina, which trailed by as much as 6-2, got five runs over the final three innings for the dramatic win. Down 6-4 entering the ninth, freshman Jeremy Cleveland started UNC's rally with a leadoff double off the left field wall. Chad Prosser then drew a no-out walk and Adam Greenberg had a bunt single to load the bases. That set the stage for Adams's game-winning triple down the right field line, his first hit of the game. Carolina is now 2-0 on the season and James Madison drops to 0-3.

James Madison got on the board first with four runs on three hits in the second inning. Matt Deuchler had a two-run single and Greg Miller followed with a two-run double for the early 4-0 lead.

JMU starter Chris Cochran held the Tar Heels hitless until the fourth inning when the Tar Heels managed two runs on two hits to pull within 4-2. Sean Farrell drew a leadoff walk and Howell singled to right field for UNC's first hit. Ryan Blake followed with an RBI single and Chris Maples knocked Blake home for Carolina's second run.

JMU pushed its lead to 6-2 with a two-run fifth inning. Pat Cunningham and Nathan Doyle both knocked in runs for the Dukes.

Carolina clawed back with runs in the seventh and eighth innings to pull within 6-4. Cleveland scored in the seventh on a wild pitch, while Maples knocked in his second run of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Maples finished the two-game series with a team-high 8 RBIs.

UNC freshman starter Scott Senatore went three innings and allowed four runs on five hits while striking out two in his collegiate debut. Freshman Kevin Brower also saw his first time on the mound for the Tar Heels, giving up two runs on three hits over 3.2 innings out of the bullpen.

Carolina returns to action this week with games against Coastal Carolina (Tues., Feb. 13, 3 p.m.) and William & Mary (Wed., Feb. 14, 3 p.m.). Scott Manshack (Tuesday) and Daniel Moore (Wednesday), both freshmen, will get the mid-week starts.

The Tar Heels travel to Mobile, Ala., next weekend for the Coca-Cola Classic/South Alabama Tournament Friday-Sunday (Feb. 16-18). Carolina's weekend opponents in Alabama are South Alabama, Auburn and Minnesota.