CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (15-16, 2-14) traveled back to the Triangle for another road series as they took on No. 13 North Carolina (27-7, 12-4) in game one of a three-game series.
UNC maintained their perfect record of 21-0 at home as the Irish fell 13-0 in a game that was shortened to seven innings due to the new ACC run rule implemented this season.
Notre Dame recorded three hits as Tito Flores recorded a base hit in the second and Nick DeMarco singled in the fifth. The third hit of the day came from Connor Hincks, as he doubled to left center field in the sixth.
The Tar Heels took an early 2-0 advantage as they opened the first with a base hit and scored on a home run to left field. With two hits in the second inning, the Tar Heels scored on a fielder’s choice, leading 3-0 before extending it to 5-0 with a two-run homer in the third.
While UNC tacked on two additional runs in the fourth, the Irish held the Tar Heels scoreless in the fifth frame as Nate Hardman recorded two strikeouts with four batters faced.
A pair of RBI singles and a three-run home run allowed the Tar Heels to cap off the night with a six run frame and gave UNC the 13-0 win in game one of the series.
Matt Bedford (1-5) started on the mound for the Irish, throwing 3.2 innings before he was relieved by Hardman in the fourth, who threw 1.1 innings. David Lally entered in the sixth, throwing 0.1 innings before Will Jacobsen came on in relief for the final 0.2 innings.
The Irish are back in action tomorrow for game two against the Tar Heels at 2 p.m.