Latest news with #KaneKepley
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Diamond Heels take down Florida State to move on in ACC Tournament
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be playing for the ACC Championship on Sunday, seeking their third title win in the last five years following a 7-5 win over Florida State. And for the second-straight day, they came back from a deficit to get it done. In a back-and-forth game on Saturday, the Tar Heels prevailed late, getting two runs in the ninth to win it. After UNC got two runners on with a single and then a bunt, it was Kane Kepley's RBI single that was the difference in the win. Backed behind a strong start from Jason DeCaro, UNC grabbed a 3-1 lead over the Seminoles. But Florida State rallied in the fifth inning, scoring three runs to grab a 4-3 lead. With Florida State having the momentum, it was time for UNC's best player to strike again. Luke Stevenson hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth, giving UNC the lead at 5-4. Florida State tied it again before the magic happened. UNC's two-run ninth inning was the difference and sends UNC to Sunday's ACC championship game against Boston College. DeCaro pitched 4.1 innings, giving up five hits and three hits in his outing. He was strong once again, as well as the bullpen. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle The Tar Heels and Eagles will face off on Sunday at noon in Durham. UNC won the tournament back in 2019 and 2022. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lack of offense, rough start on mound doom UNC in mid-week baseball loss against UConn
Lack of offense, rough start on mound doom UNC in mid-week baseball loss against UConn Is UNC's recent stretch on the baseball diamond cause for concern? The North Carolina Tar Heels were one of college baseball's greatest stories through the first week of March, playing to a 13-0 record with series sweeps of Texas Tech and East Carolina. Fast-forward to a Wednesday, March 19 non-conference matchup against the UConn Huskies – and you have reason to be concerned about UNC's direction. North Carolina center fielder Kane Kepley mashed a home run to lead off the home half of the first inning, but the Diamond Heels never scored again in a 5-1 defeat. UNC (16-5, 2-4 ACC) lost its second-consecutive game – and for the fifth time in its past eight games. North Carolina entered ACC play undefeated, but lost its first two conference series – against Stanford and at Louisville. The Diamond Heels ended Wednesday's loss with just six total hits, which isn't conducive to winning. UNC's pitching struggled, as starter Cameron Padgett took his first loss, lasting just two innings and allowing four runs. UConn (6-11), a rare powerhouse from the Northeast, took a second-inning lead when second baseman Bryan Padilla singled to center field. The Huskies pushed across three more runs in the third, thanks to a pair of sacrifice flies and a bases-loaded walk. North Carolina was patient at the plate, drawing seven walks, but couldn't push those runners across home. Kepley recorded two hits to lead the Diamond Heels, while Jackson Van De Brake, Hunter Stokely, Alex Madera and Tyson Bass each recorded one. UNC's next chance to re-discover the winning column comes Friday, March 21 at 3 p.m., with a weekend road trip at Boston College on the calendar. The Eagles (9-9, 2-4 ACC) have consecutive wins against Sacred Heart and Northeastern. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
