CORAL GABLES, FLA. - Yonder Alonso said this week that Miami baseball coach Jim Morris told his players their bats were cooling off because they were "going through the motions."

Not a chance, insisted Alonso, top-ranked Miami's most proficient slugger. But just to be sure, Alonso throttled a full-count pitch by North Carolina ace Alex White in the third inning on Thursday and planted it far beyond the left-field wall for a grand slam against the nation's No. 2 team in a 12-2 victory.

Designated hitter Dave DiNatale added a two-run homer in the fourth and the Hurricanes (43-6, 23-3 ACC) scored six more in the seventh to clinch the ACC's Coastal Division crown at Mark Light Field.

Not to be outdone, Miami starting pitcher Chris Hernandez continued his brilliant season, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings to raise his record to 10-0 and lower his ERA to 2.69. He struck out seven with no walks for the third consecutive game.

"Unbelievable," Morris said of Hernandez. "He pitched outstanding, and that's what he has done all year. It's amazing what he's doing as a freshman."

North Carolina's White, who came into the game 8-2 with a 2.36 ERA, lasted 4.1 innings, allowing six earned runs on five hits and five walks. He struck out seven. In all, five UNC pitchers walked a season-high 11 batters.

"He was missing both sides of the plate and was trying a little bit too hard," said UNC coach Mike Fox of White, who had given up just two home runs all season.

The Tar Heels (43-10, 20-7) opened the scoring in the first inning after leadoff hitter Dustin Ackley took the first pitch and singled to left-center, then scored later when Chad Flack hit a deep ground ball to second baseman Jemile Weeks.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.