CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels scored in each of the first three innings and built a five-run cushion and held on to defeat No. 25 East Carolina, 7-4, at Boshamer Stadium on Friday in the first of a three-game series.
North Carolina (5-0) scored four of its seven runs via the home run as Vance Honeycutt and Alberto Osuna launched solo shots, while Mac Horvath hit a two-run insurance home run in the seventh inning to give UNC a 7-2 lead.
ECU (1-4) added two runs in the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate, but Caden O'Brien came on to get the final out and preserve the victory, recording the Diamond Heels' first save of the year.