CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Despite a strong outing from Lukas Pirko and a late ninth-inning rally, Texas Tech dropped the series finale to No. 6 North Carolina, 4-2, on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.
The Red Raiders (0-3) took an early lead in the first inning when Damian Bravo delivered a two-out RBI single. However, the Tar Heels (3-0) responded quickly, loading the bases and capitalizing on a two-run single and a sacrifice fly to take a 3-1 lead after one inning.
Freshman Jackson Burns made his first career start for Tech but lasted just two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks. Pirko entered in relief and dominated, tossing 5.1 innings of one-run baseball while striking out seven.
From that point, the game turned into a pitcher’s duel. UNC’s Ryan Lynch threw four scoreless innings, while Texas Tech’s bullpen, led by JUCO transfer JT Drake, retired all six batters he faced over two perfect innings.
Trailing 4-1 in the ninth, the Red Raiders continued to fight. A leadoff single from Tracer Lopez forced UNC to bring in All-American closer Matthew Matthijs. After a single from TJ Pompey put two runners on, Robin Villeneuve nearly tied the game, but his deep fly ball to right field was caught at the warning track. Antonelli Savaterre drove in a run with an infield single to make it 4-2, but back-to-back lineouts ended the comeback attempt.
While the Red Raiders fell in all three games in their first road series of 2025, the No. 6 Tar Heels were no joke. There are some early season issues that Head Coach Tim Tadlock is sure to address, but these Red Raiders fought hard and should improve quickly.
Texas Tech returns to Lubbock next weekend for its home opener against nationally-ranked UC Irvine. First pitch for the series opener is set for Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
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