June 3, 2005
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Robert Woodard gave up one run on six hits to lead North Carolina to a 5-1 win over Notre Dame on Friday in the NCAA regionals.
Notre Dame (36-23-1) got its only run in the first inning and threatened only once after that as Woodard (8-0) threw his first career complete game. Woodard struck out four and walked only two. He has allowed only five earned runs in his last six appearances, a span of 37 and 2-3 innings.
“Robert has just been unbelievable for us all year long,” North Carolina coach Mike Fox said. “He’s the only guy I would have given the ball to in this game. He’s got the heart of a lion.”
North Carolina (41-17-1) advances in the winner’s bracket against either Florida or Stetson. Notre Dame plays the loser of that game.
Chad Flack had three hits and two RBIs and Josh Horton and Greg Mangum each drove in a run for the Tar Heels.
Woodard got in trouble in the sixth when Notre Dame put two runners on with nobody out. Matt Edwards followed with a line-drive single to left field, but Jay Cox fielded it on a short hop and threw to third base for the force out.
Cody Rizzo singled to load the bases, but Woodard got a strikeout and groundout to end the threat.
“It was huge, because it was right down the heart of their order,” Woodard said. “I got a little out of myself, I guess, after that first hitter and came right back and tried to do too much to the second hitter and I put him on.
“The defense made some plays behind me as they did all game. It really gave us a lift,” he said.