BLACKSBURG, Va. – No. 1-ranked North Carolina claimed the final game of a rain-shortened series on Sunday by defeating Virginia Tech 13-4 at English Field.

After rain postponed Saturday’s scheduled contest, the teams planned on playing a double-header on Sunday until rain throughout the morning limited the squads to just one game in the afternoon. The win pushed UNC’s record to 14-2 overall and 4-1 in the ACC, while Virginia Tech fell to 10-6 overall and 1-4 in league play.

The Tar Heels got off to a good start by plating four runs on a grand slam by catcher Mark Fleury in the top of the first. The homer came off of Tech reliever Marc Zecchino, as Hokie starter Justin Wright was forced to leave the game after just four pitches due to a strained hamstring.

UNC added another run in the top of the fourth when center fielder Mike Cavasinni scored on a sacrifice fly by Tar Heel leadoff hitter Ben Bunting, but Tech answered with their first run in the bottom of the fifth. After shortstop Ty Hohman sent a one-out double to left, first baseman Buddy Sosnoskie brought him around to score when he stroked a single to left-center field.

The Hokies added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth thanks to three consecutive singles by center fielder Steve Bumbry, designated hitter Austin Wates and catcher Anthony Sosnoskie to lead off the inning. Bumbry scored on Sosnoskie’s base hit to center, while Wates came home on a sacrifice fly to right by Hohman to make it 5-3 in the Tar Heels’ favor.

UNC picked up another run in the top of the seventh when second baseman Levi Michael touched home on a base hit by right fielder Garrett Gore, but Tech got it right back in the eighth when Wates, who walked and stole both second and third, came home on a bloop single to right by left fielder Steve Domecus.

North Carolina blew things open in the ninth with seven runs on five hits to extend their lead to nine. The Hokies managed a run in the bottom half when Buddy Sosnoskie scored on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Mike Kaminski, but the Tar Heels’ Matt Harvey closed out the inning to record a rare four-inning save after entering in the sixth.

UNC starter Adam Warren (3-0) earned the win after allowing three runs on six hits and three walks, while Wright (1-1) took the loss because his lone base runner scored the game’s first run. Freshman Mathew Price was impressive in relief for Tech, striking out five and allowing just one unearned run on two hits in four innings of work.

The Hokies return to action this Tuesday and Wednesday with a pair of 5:30 p.m. games against VMI at English Field.