Cowboys Drop Series Opener At UNC

Friday, February 26

Chapel Hill, N.C.

2:00:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

2-3

North Carolina

3-1

Oklahoma State

North Carolina

Thomas Hatch

February 26, 2016 | Cowboy Baseball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Oklahoma State suffered its third one-run loss of the season Friday as 10^th-ranked North Carolina walked off the No. 11 Cowboys with a 3-2 win at Boshamer Stadium.

With the loss, OSU falls to 2-3 on the year, while the Tar Heels are now 3-1 thanks to Kyle Datres game-winning RBI double with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Thomas Hatch and Tyler Buffett turned in strong performances on the mound for the Cowboys, but the offense only managed four hits in the contest and left seven runners stranded on base.

Hatch allowed just one run in five innings of work, that coming in the first on an RBI double by Tyler Ramirez.

The Cowboys weren't down long, however, as Garrett Benge blasted a home run over the right-field wall to lead off the second inning. The round tripper was Benge's first in an OSU uniform.

Following Benge's shot, the game turned into a pitcher's duel between Hatch and UNC ace Zac Gallen.

The Tar Heels left six runners on base in the second through fifth innings against Hatch, while Gallen settled in after surrendering the round tripper and did not allow another hit until a two-out bunt single by Jacob Chappell in the seventh.

OSU wasn't without opportunities. In the sixth, Conor Costello reached third with one out after UNC right fielder Adam Pate misplayed a fly ball. But Dustin Williams struck out, and Jon Littell flied out to end the threat.

In the eighth, Donnie Walton was stranded at third after being hit by a pitch and stealing second and third, and in the ninth, Littell led off the frame with a single but was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

UNC finally broke the tie in the bottom of the ninth. After Buffett retired the first hitter of the inning, he walked Brian Miller before allowing a single to Tyler Lynn.

With runners on first and second and one out, Datres stepped to the plate and delivered the walk-off hit into the right-center field gap.

The series resumes Saturday at 1 p.m. (CST).