March 30, 2007

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Michael Murray hit his first-career home run, but Wake Forest was shut down by Robert Woodard and No. 6-ranked North Carolina in a 3-1 loss to the Tar Heels Friday evening at Boshamer Stadium.

Woodard (6-0) held the Demon Deacons to just two hits in his 7 1/3 innings of work. The bullpen finished the job for Woodard, holding Wake hitless the rest of the way.

Murray and Evan Ocheltree had the Deacons' only two hits on the night. With Wake Forest trailing 2-0 in the fourth, Murray lofted a 2-2 pitch from Woodard to right field for a solo home run, the first of his collegiate career.

The Tar Heels had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Dustin Ackley launched a two-run home run to right center off Deacon starter Brad Kledzik.

Kledzik (2-2) settled down after Ackley's homer to hold the Tar Heels at bay. Kledzik scattered five hits the rest of the way before being relieved with one out in the seventh inning. Kledzik allowed three runs on seven hits in his 6 1/3 innings of work.

After surrendering a combined 11 walks in his last two starts, Kledzik did not walk a single Tar Heel on Friday. The sophomore struck out three batters and threw just 77 pitches on the night.

UNC added an insurance run off Kledzik in the seventh inning. Seth Williams hit a lead-off double and then scored on a two-out single off reliever Eric Niesen.

Allan Dykstra came within a couple of feet of his 13th home run of the season, flying out to the centerfield wall to end the third inning. Dykstra finished with just one official at-bat, as the Tar Heels walked him twice and hit him with a pitch once.

The Wake Forest defense had its fair share of web gems on the day. With a runner on first in the third inning, Brett Linnenkohl made a diving catch on a sinking line drive down the left field line. After sliding headfirst several feet on the outfield grass, Linnenkohl got up and started a relay to complete the double play on the runner retreating to first base.

Dykstra had a defensive gem of his own the following inning. The sophomore made an over-the-shoulder, diving catch just past the first base bag in foul territory.

Willy Fox saw his 16-game hitting streak come to an end, going 0-for-4 on the night.

Ben Hunter pitched a scoreless eight inning, allowing two hits and striking out one.

Woodard (6-0) earned the win for UNC, allowing one run with six strikeouts and three walks.

Andrew Carignon pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his seventh save of the season.

Ackley, who came in hitting .495, finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs for the Tar Heels.

Wake Forest and North Carolina will meet in the second game of the series on Saturday at 1 p.m. LHP Garrett Bullock (2-1, 4.96) is scheduled to start for the Deacons, while RHP Alex White (3-1, 1.91) is set to go for the Tar Heels.