Box Score

Chapel Hill, N.C. - Upset-minded Western Carolina issued nine combined walks and plunked a pair of batters for a total of 11 freebies while offensively stranding 13 runners on base Wednesday night in falling at sixth-ranked North Carolina 8-2 in midweek nonconference action at Boshamer Stadium.

In a season that hasn't gone according to script, the Catamounts again showed their potential in going toe-to-toe with the nationally-ranked Tar Heels offensively, finishing just one hit off North Carolina's total, 8-to-7. But conversely, WCU was unable to take advantage of eight walks issued by Tar Heel pitching, striking out a combined 13 times in the road defeat.

North Carolina (28-13) used a two-run home run in the second inning and four-run fifth that included a WCU error, a hit batter, and three run-scoring walks to grab an insurmountable lead in scoring their 14th win in their last 17 games. It was also the 10th-straight victory for the Tar Heels over WCU in the head-to-head series.

Senior infielder Cameron Blaquiere reached base three times including a pair of singles for his 10th, two-hit game of the season. The Jacksonville, Fla., native added a ninth-inning walk as the Catamounts threatened in the final frame. His middle infield comrade, freshman Will Prater, likewise posted a two-hit game with a base on balls, both finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Sophomore outfield Andrew Robinson collected the biggest hit of the night for the Catamounts, bouncing a bases-loaded, two-RBI single down the third base line in the sixth inning. WCU senior catcher Spencer Holcomb reached base three times in an 0-for-2 performance, extending his reached base safely streak to 12-straight.

WCU's other two hits came off the bat of redshirt junior Matthew Koehler, who hit in his third-straight game with a 1-for-4 performance and redshirt freshman Bo Fricks who finished 1-for-3 in the bottom of the order.

A hit batter and a two-out, two-run home run by Brandon Riley put the Tar Heels ahead after the first inning of play on Wednesday night. The home squad added to its lead in the second with another two-out base hit, capitalizing on a pair of walks to that moved the runner into scoring position before the RBI single by Kyle Datres.

Riley and Datres were joined by designated hitter Ashton McGee with two hits, each finishing 2-for-4 for the Tar Heels. Ike Freeman walked three times and Brandon Martorano drew a pair of free passes in addition to a double.

North Carolina broke the game open in the fifth inning, though, with a four-spot that included three walks that plated runs and two singles, one with a RBI attached. The Heels led 7-0 through five complete.

Western Carolina got on the board in the top of the sixth inning as Prater and Blaquiere both reached on a walk and single, respectively. A one-out free pass to Holcomb loaded the bases before Andrew Robinson's two-out single snuck inside the bag down the third base line to drive two runs in. UNC later provided the final tally by manufacturing a run in the eighth inning.

The Catamounts had runners aboard in seven of the nine innings on Wednesday night including two-or-more on five occasions.

WCU starter Caleb Bishop (0-4) was saddled with the loss, allowing seven runs -- six of which were earned -- on just four hits. The Wilmington, N.C., product issued four walks and a pair of hit batters to go along with three strikeouts on the night. Redshirt sophomore reliever Blake Therrian tossed an inning and two-thirds out of the bullpen, issuing three walks before exiting at the recommendation of the athletic training staff. Senior southpaw Corey Sikes tossed the final 2.1 innings with three hits and a pair of walks.

North Carolina reliever Caden O'Brien (3-0) was credited with the victory, the first of six different relievers used by the Tar Heels on the day. O'Brien tossed an inning of one-hit, scoreless relief, issuing one walk in the fourth inning. Starter Taylor Sugg struck out three in three innings of one-hit work. WCU managed to score both runs off reliever Ben Casparius, who also walked and struck out two out of the bullpen.

Western Carolina (4-35) looks to build off Wednesday night's battle with the Tar Heels as it comes home to host ETSU in Southern Conference play in Cullowhee this weekend. The three-game series opens with a 5 pm first pitch at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium on Friday with both Saturday and Sunday set for first pitch at 2 pm. The first and final games will be broadcast on ESPN3 and can be seen through the WatchESPN app.