If you watched college baseball on Saturday, chances are you saw the North Carolina Tar Heels obliterate their archival to clinch yet another series.
After splitting its first two games against Duke, winning 3-1 Thursday and losing by the same score Friday, UNC exploded for a 22-5, run-rule victory in seven innings on Saturday.
North Carolina (36-8-1, 17-7 ACC) made some history in its blowout victory. The Diamond Heels' 22 runs are their most in a game this season (previous high of 21 vs. Le Moyne College on March 1), tops in any game since a 25-1 win over Princeton on St. Patrick's Day in 2010, plus most against an ACC opponent since demolishing then-conference opponent Maryland, 23-8, on April 16 back in 200.
The Blue Devils (23-23, 9-15 ACC) struck first, with Vanderbilt transfer RJ Hamilton blasting a solo home run in the opening frame. Duke later tied the game at 3-all, with Samford transfer Matthew Strand mashing a 2-run jack to left field.
Our most runs: - In any game since 25 vs. Princeton in 2010. - In an ACC game since 23 vs. Maryland in 2000. Is that good? That seems good! pic.twitter.com/uWekE4vPdA
UNC broke the game open with its seven-run fourth inning. Jake Schaffner singled home Cooper Nicholson to start North Carolina's scoring attack, Gavin Gallaher drove in Colin Hynek, Owen Hull homered, then Hynek drew a bases-loaded walk.
In the fifth, Blue Devils transfer Macon Winslow drove Schaffner and Gallaher in, then Tyler Howe brought Hull and Winslow around.
The Diamond Heels scored in each of the final five innings, with every starter recording a hit. Gallaher and Hull anchored UNC's offensive barrage, combining for six hits, 11 RBIs and five runs, with Hull mashing his team's lone home run. North Carolina tortured nine Duke pitchers, not allowing either Jack Hedrick or Jordan Regulski to record a single out.
Caden Glauber maintained his perfect record, hurling four innings of 5-hit, 3-run ball, while striking out five Duke batters to secure his sixth victory on the mound. Folger Boaz, Cameron Padgett and Jake Cackovic also pitched for the Diamond Heels.
Next up for UNC, a Top-10 date with Coastal Carolina on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Can North Carolina's bats make some additional history against the Sun Belt-leading Chanticleers (30-12, 17-3)?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC baseball nets season-best 22 runs in series clincher vs. Duke