High Point's early 2-0 lead vanished after a pair of homers by North Carolina third baseman Chris Maples, and the host Tar Heels pounded out a 9-4 victory over the Panthers Wednesday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill.
The Panthers dropped to 9-9 on the season. UNC improved to 7-8, and snapped a three-game losing streak.
High Point stepped on the Heels with a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Right fielder Andy Harney led off with his second home run of the season -- an opposite-field solo shot to right off UNC starter Daniel Moore. Kemp Smith then drew a walk and then scored on a double down the left-field line by John Cavanaugh.
But Carolina mounted a two-out rally in the 3rd to put a pair of runs on the board. After Panther starter Kevin Burch fanned the first two batters, UNC's Adam Greenberg tripled to deep center. A pair of walks (one intentional) followed, and then Burch hit Sean Farrell with a pitch, forcing Greenberg across the plate. Chris Maples then reached on an error by third baseman Kemp Smith, scoring Chad Prosser to tie the game at 2-2.
Maples gave the Heels a 3-2 advantage with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 6th. Ryan Blake punched a single to left, advanced to second on a balk, and then scored on a single by Jeremy Cleveland.
High Point cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the 7th. Cavanaugh laced a two-out single off UNC reliever Carter Harrell, advanced to second on a Colin Cronin, and scored on a base hit by Chris Vinar to pull the Panthers within 4-3.
But UNC exploded for three runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach. Russ Adams led off with a single off Riley Gostisha, and scored on a double by Sean Farrell. Maples then cleared the bases with his second homer of the day to give the Heels a 7-3 lead.
Burch struck out eight Tar Heels in just 5 1/3 innings of work. Gostisha (3-3) took the loss. Carter Harrell (2-3) was the winning pitcher for UNC.
Wednesday's game was just the second meeting between the teams since 1981. UNC took a 10-6 decision in Chapel Hill last season.
The Panthers open a three-game series against Brown with a doubleheader Saturday at noon at Alumni Field.
