The fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels routed the 26th ranked UNCW Seahawks 8-1 Tuesday night in front of a record crowd of 3,608 at Brooks Field. The Tar Heels exploded for a five-run third inning to break open the game as the Seahawks struggled at the plate all night.

In the win, North Carolina produced some stellar pitching, holding the Seahawks to just four hits on the night. Starting pitcher Bryant Gaines got the Tar Heels off to the right start, smothering the Seahawks through the first three innings allowing North Carolina to jump on top.

Bryant finished with 4.2 innings pitched, allowing three hits and only one run.

As good as Bryant was in the early stages of the game, the Tar Heel bullpen was better. Relief pitchers Brian Moran and Matt Harvey combined for seven strikeouts and only one hit allowed to close out the win for the Tar Heels.

“It’s disappointing because I don’t think we competed at the plate,” Seahawks’ Head Coach Mark Scalf said. “We weren’t as aggressive as we should’ve been.”

The one bright spot offensively for the Seahawks was the performance of junior shortstop Mike Rooney. Rooney accounted for three of the Seahawks’ four hits on the night by picking up three singles.

“I just tried to keep it simple and get the ball up the middle of the field,” he said.

Hitting wasn’t the only thing troubling the Seahawks as North Carolina was able to capitalize on a few defensive hiccups in order to put runs on the board.

The key play of the game came in the top of the third inning when Seahawks’ left fielder Grayson Evans lost sight of a catchable fly ball in the lights, leading to a double and runners on second and third for the Tar Heels. North Carolina then plated five runs in the third and never looked back.

“If we catch that ball in left, you don’t know what happens,” Scalf said. “They probably don’t get five runs. We may even get out of the inning unscathed.”

Despite the disappointing result on the field, the standing-room only crowd provided a good experience for the young Seahawk club.

“This was like a post season experience which is good for the younger guys,” Rooney said. “Unfortunately, we just didn’t come out like we should have.”

The Seahawks will have little time to dwell on the loss as they will play two games against also ranked Coastal Carolina in the next week in addition to a three-game series at Georgia State, who currently sit at a surprising third in the CAA.

“There are no breaks. These are all quality clubs we’re playing,” Scalf said. “We have to find a way to continue to compete at a high level.”