#4 North Carolina Takes Game-One Over Clemson 8-2 Saturday

April 12, 2008

Box Score

Clemson, SC –

Dustin Ackley’s three-run homer highlighted #4 North Carolina’s 8-2 victory over the Tigers Saturday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. North Carolina, who took a 1-0 series lead, improved to 27-7 on the season and 11-4 in the ACC, while Clemson dropped to 18-15 overall and 6-10 in ACC play.

Tar Heel starter Alex White earned the victory, upping his record to 6-2. He surrended just one hit over 5.2 scoreless innings. D.J. Mitchell (3-3) suffered the loss for the Tigers, as he allowed two runs on three hits while walking six and striking out eight in 5.0 innings pitched.

The game started on Friday and was suspended at the conclusion of the sixth inning due to inclement weather. It resumed Saturday at 3:59 PM.

The Tar Heels got on the scoreboard first with a run in the second. Chad Flack led off with a single up the middle, stole second, moved to third on Kyle Seager’s flyout to right, and scored on Seth Williams’ single up the middle.

North Carolina added one run in the fourth, as Seager led off the frame with a single to left and Mark Fleury drew a one-out walk. Both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball and Williams drew a walk to load the bases. Kyle Shelton reached first on a fielder’s choice that allowed Seager to score.

In the sixth inning, Ackley hit a one-out, three-run homer over the centerfield fence to put the Tar Heels ahead 5-0. It was his sixth long ball of the season.

Seager drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth to bring home Shelton and put the Tar Heels up 6-0.

The Tigers scored two in the bottom of the eighth inning. Wilson Boyd hit a one-out single to center. Doug Hogan drove him home with a double down the right-field line. Hogan then moved to third on Ben Paulsen’s groundout. Kyle Parker followed with a two-out walk. Jeff Schaus plated Hogan with a single up the middle.

North Carolina added two runs in the ninth to increase its advantage to 8-2. Fleury led off the ninth with a single to left. Shelton then drove him home with a double to right and moved to third on the throw. He then scored on a passed ball.

Four Tar Heels collected two hits apiece. They were led offensively by Ackley’s three RBIs and Shelton’s two RBIs. Schaus led the Tigers with two hits and one RBI.

The Tigers and Tar Heels will clash in game-two of the series on Saturday at 5:40 PM.