April 3, 2007

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Dustin Ackley and Reid Fronk each homered and combined to drive in nine runs to lead No. 2 North Carolina past UNC Wilmington, 14-2, Tuesday at Boshamer Stadium. Kyle Seager also added three hits and his first career home run, as the Tar Heels (26-5) completed a sweep of the two-game season series with the Seahawks (14-18).

After singling in the first to extend his hitting streak to 23 games, Ackley, who was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, connected on a grand slam in the fourth and added a career-best fifth RBI on a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Ackley's 23-game hitting streak matches Chris Iannetta's 2004 run for the fifth longest streak in UNC history.

Fronk, who went 3-for-4 with a season high-tying four RBI, hit a three-run home run in the second and added a run-scoring double in the fifth, while Seager's three hits equaled a career-best. His two-run homer in the fourth was the first of his collegiate career.

Additionally, Tim Federowicz went 2-for-4 with an RBI for his fifth straight multi-hit game and a career-best 11-game hitting streak, while Mike Cavasinni chipped in two hits, three runs and two RBI. Tim Fedroff also added two base hits and two runs, as Carolina scored 10-plus runs for the sixth time in its last 10 games.

Sophomore right-hander Adam Warren was again the recipient of double-digit run support, as he moved to 6-0 on the season. The New Bern native allowed a career-high seven hits, but held UNCW to just two runs and struck out two over six innings.

UNCW starter Ryan Doolittle (0-2) took the loss after allowing six runs on six hits over two innings. Steve Halford went 3-for-4 to lead the Seahawks at the plate.

After Ackley and Federowicz each extended their hitting streaks in the first to give the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead, Carolina put up five runs in the second. A walk and two singles loaded the bases for Cavasinni, who singled through the left side to drive in two. Fronk followed two batters later with his three-run shot to right for his second home run in the last three games and a 6-0 UNC lead.

The Seahawks got on the board in the third on a solo home run by right fielder Jason Appel just inside the right-field foul pole, but Carolina again used the long ball for a big inning in the fourth. A walk and two singles loaded bases for Ackley, who ripped a 1-0 pitch from Andrew Morgan out to right for his first career grand slam and his fifth homer of the year. Seager followed with his two-run homer for an 11-run lead for the Tar Heels.

Carolina plated two more in the fifth, as Fronk doubled home Cavasinni, who led off the inning with a single, and Ackley followed with a sac fly to left to drive in Fedroff, who also singled.

With the 14-2 lead after six, the Tar Heels closed out the win with scoreless relief appearances from B.J. Dail, Matt Cox and Tyler Trice.

UNC is back in action this weekend with a three-game set at Boston College beginning Thursday at 2:30 p.m.