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Plenty of adjustments for Heels to playing at CWS stadium
OMAHA, Neb. — Dealing with the higher level of competition is just one adjustment that all teams need to make when coming to the College World Series. Charles Schwab Field Omaha plays differently than nearly every team’s home field, and No. 4 North Carolina is no exception. Fielders need to account for that, and third-base coaches have to factor the differences. It’s not just that the field is bigger than Boshamer Stadium or that there are more fans.
Patience helps UNC spectacularly shake struggles with runners in scoring position
OMAHA, Neb. — In spectacular fashion in the pivotal late innings on Friday night, No. 4 North Carolina broke out of its plate struggles with runners in scoring position. The Tar Heels’ rally for a 6–2 victory over No. 23 Ole Miss has them in the winners bracket of their pod and in good position as they await a 7:09 p.m. battle with No. 9 West Virginia on Sunday (ESPN).
Video, transcript: UNC’s postgame press conference after win over Ole Miss
Here is a complete transcript and video from No. 4-ranked North Carolina’s College World Series postgame press conference on Friday night, with Coach Scott Forbes, Jason DeCaro, Colin Hynek and Owen Hull.
Big late two-out hits surge Heels by Ole Miss
OMAHA, Neb. — Gavin Gallaher picked an excellent time to break through with his first College World Series hit. The junior second baseman was 0-for-15 when he took a first-pitch strike from Ole Miss left-handed reliever Walker Hooks with two outs in the seventh inning. After a discussion with Coach Scott Forbes between pitches, he laced a single up the middle for the go-ahead run with two outs in the seventh inning.
Built to reload: UNC’s portal formula helps deliver another Omaha trip
North Carolina’s path back to Omaha says as much about roster-building as it does about player development. In an era when college baseball rosters can turn over quickly and programs are forced to rebuild on the fly, UNC has found a way to do both, and do it without losing its footing.
Video, transcript: UNC’s CWS press conference in Omaha
Here is a complete transcript and video from No. 4-ranked North Carolina’s College World Series press conference Thursday in Omaha before the Tar Heels’ 7:06 p.m. opener against No. 23 Ole Miss, with Coach Scott Forbes, pitcher Jason DeCaro, second baseman Gavin Gallaher and shortstop Jake Schaffner.
How does the College World Series format work?
North Carolina fans know the math is simple when one of the Tar Heels’ basketball teams reaches the Elite Eight. Win three more games, and there is a national championship. Baseball is different and much more complicated.
UNC’s clinching win over USC most-watched Supers game on record
No. 4 North Carolina’s 4–3 victory Sunday in the deciding game of the Chapel Super Regional was the most-watched Super Regional game on record, according to ESPN.
CWS format with days off changes pitching calculus
CHAPEL HILL — Double-elimination tournaments create challenges for coaches as they figure out how to best manage pitching staffs. The competition is much stiffer at the College World Series than during the double-elimination regional round, but the days off between games change the calculus when it comes to managing pitchers and keeping the best arms fresh.
There was no dogpile Sunday for UNC team focused on national title
CHAPEL HILL — When No. 4 North Carolina’s ninth-inning rally was done Sunday, there was plenty of celebrating. But there was no dogpile. Dogpiles are common in college baseball after significant wins, but the Tar Heels may have shown their mindset in not celebrating that way after Sunday’s 4-3 victory over USC. While reaching the College World Series is a significant accomplishment, UNC is the only program in the country that’s done so in two of the last three years.
ESPN analysts say that Tar Heels may be tailor-made for spacious CWS stadium
Carolina often pushes back on the notion that the Tar Heels are not a power-hitting team, but that might be an advantage at spacious Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
Day, time for Carolina’s opener against Ole Miss in Omaha is set
The schedule is set for No. 4 Carolina’s pod in the College World Series. The No. 5-seed Tar Heels (50–12–1) will face No. 23-ranked Ole Miss (41–21) at 7 p.m. Friday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha, with No. 16-seed West Virginia (48–15) facing Troy (38–30) in the first game in Omaha at 2:06 p.m., with both games airing on ESPN.
UNC carries history to Omaha, with another chance to change it
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina has been to Omaha often enough to know how hard it is to get there and how much harder it is to finish the job. After coming up one win short a year earlier, the Tar Heels are back for the second time in three seasons.
Hull creates more Bosh Magic as Heels advance to Omaha
CHAPEL HILL — More Bosh Magic has No. 4 North Carolina back in the College World Series for the second time in three seasons. And it came in with thrilling, heart-thumping drama. The Tar Heels’ 13th trip to Omaha looked in doubt when they trailed by a run with one out in the ninth inning. But Owen Hull smashed his fourth double to drive in the game-ending run to lift UNC to a 4–3 victory Sunday over USC in the deciding Game 3 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional.
Tar Heels open College World Series against No. 18 Ole Miss
CHAPEL HILL — No. 4 North Carolina will open its second College World Series in three seasons and 13th overall against No. 18 Ole Miss. The No. 5-seed Tar Heels (50–12–1) and the Rebels (41–21) have never met in baseball, but will face off in their opener, likely on Friday but possibly on Saturday. The schedule isn’t expected to be finalized until ESPN decides on its preferred order of play by Monday night.