CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - In a dramatic twist, North Carolina's baseball showdown with in-state rivals ECU ended early due to weather and player safety concerns. This decision, made by both coaching staffs and administration, means the game won't be rescheduled.
This tie marks a rare occurrence for the Tar Heels (6-1-1), their first since April 17, 2005, when a game against Miami was halted in the 10th inning due to a curfew. Before that, you'd have to go back to 1989 to find another draw in the program's history.
The game was a seesaw battle. ECU struck first in the third inning, but North Carolina quickly responded with an Owen Hull sacrifice fly in the fourth. The Pirates added two more in the fifth, only for the Tar Heels to even the score with clutch RBI singles from Gavin Gallaher and Erik Paulsen.
Just as the sixth inning was about to begin, the skies opened up, leading to a rain delay that stretched over two and a half hours. Ultimately, the game was called, leaving fans with an unexpected and rare tie.