By R.L. Bynum
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).
After UNC went 3-of-26 with runners in scoring position in the Chapel Hill Super Regional against USC, it was 0-for-5 before Gavin Gallaher’s huge RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning plated the go-ahead run.
Coach Scott Forbes wasn’t stressing about the issues, but wasn’t shy about addressing them with his team.
“If I was a basketball coach, and we couldn’t make free throws, I’d be like, ‘We’ve got to get better at making free throws. We’re going to shoot them till we’re blue in the face,’ ” Forbes said during a media availability Saturday at the Hilton Omaha, a few blocks away from Charles Schwab Field Omaha. “But the same thing here, keep getting guys on.”
It also might have a lot to do with the high-level pitching UNC has faced in the early innings of the last four games, including Ole Miss right-handed fireballer Taylor Rabe, who gave up two hits and struck out seven in 5⅔ innings on Friday.
“Most pitchers are going to have their best stuff in those innings, those pitch counts, one through 70, one through 75,” Forbes said. “Even though it seemed like we were struggling [Friday] night, I think that was a credit to that guy. He looked like a big leaguer [Friday] night to me.”
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Forbes said the key was that UNC did not abandon its plan against an Ole Miss starter who pounded the zone early. The Tar Heels kept extending at-bats, running up the pitch count and trusting that the game would tilt back in their favor.
“[I] just tell the guys keep getting on base, and somebody’s going to bust one like Colin Hynek did,” Forbes said of the catcher’s three-run home run in the eighth inning. “I would love to have it early, though.”
That patience finally paid off in the seventh. Gallaher delivered his game-changing for his first hit in 16 College World Series at-bats.
“I’d thought about it for sure,” Gallaher said of the dry spell. “But we always talk about trying to focus on one day at a time, so I wasn’t up there chasing hits. I was just trying to have good team at-bats, and I think that’s what a lot of guys are trying to do. It feels good to get the first one on the board, though.”
Gallaher said he regrouped within the at-bat after getting a mid-bat reminder from Forbes to settle back into his plan.
“He was just trying to slow me down a little bit, going back into the approach,” Gallaher said. “I told him that I swung at the first pitch, just make sure I got another one later in the at-bat, and I ended up doing that.”
UNC’s lineup had shown signs it was wearing Ole Miss down long before Gallaher’s hit. Tyler Howe pointed to the Tar Heels’ pregame message and the way they kept battling even while frequently hitting from behind in the count.
“We talked about the approach [Friday] before the pregame meal,” Howe said. “For the righties, it was to get off the plate and hunt a ball middle-in. For lefties, it was to get the ball out over the plate and take everything [in the] middle. The pitcher was really good and got two strikes a lot, but we didn’t go down without a fight, and those two-strike at-bats ended up getting him out of the game, getting into the bullpen and keeping us alive.”
That resilience has become one of the defining traits of this team. Howe said Friday looked like plenty of other nights this season, when the Tar Heels refused to let an early deficit or missed chance dictate the rest of the game.
“We get down 1–0, their guy’s really good on the mound, and we just had to keep finding a way,” Howe said. “Then we go down 2–1, end up getting their starter out of the game, getting into the bullpen, just stick with the approach, stick with everything the coaches are telling us and find a way to come out on top in the big innings.”
Howe, a freshman playing in his first College World Series game, also bounced back from an earlier defensive mistake in left field. He lost a pop-up in the sun. It fell, leading to the first Ole Miss run.
“Everybody was like, forget about it, move on,” Howe said. “Short memory, long game. Jason [DeCaro] was the first person to come up to me and be like, ‘I got you,’ and the rest of the team just kept fighting. We ended up making big plays later.”
Forbes said that Howe’s response was as important as anything the freshman did later.
“Obviously, you feel terrible because you feel like you let your team down when that happens. We’ve all been there as a player,” Forbes said. “But we talk about picking each other up, and the guys picked him up, and then he picked us up. He’s been consistent all year. He’s one of those rare freshmen in today’s game that, for the most part, has played every day, versatile, really lengthens our lineup. For him to have the maturity to move on and have a great night and help us win that game, it’s a credit to his maturity level.”
That same maturity has shown up in other freshmen, too, especially on the mound. Howe marveled at what fellow freshman Caden Glauber, who should still be in high school, has done in the biggest moments.
“There are really no words,” Howe said. “He just keeps getting better and better. He should be graduating high school right now, and he’s out there winning a College World Series game. It’s absolutely unreal.”
DeCaro set the tone before Glauber finished things off on the mound. Forbes said the mound visit to take DeCaro out came as much from respect for the right-hander as from game management.
“He wanted to stay in, and that’s why I respect Jason DeCaro so much,” Forbes said. “I was just explaining to him, ‘Hey, man, you’ve given us everything you’ve got. I know you want to stay in, just trust me right here. I’m taking you out not just because of your pitch count, but because I want you to pitch again out here and pitch again effectively.’ ”
The bullpen should benefit from Saturday’s off day before Sunday night’s game against West Virginia. Gallaher said the rest could be especially useful for the relievers UNC may need to lean on again.
“For the pitching staff, definitely,” Gallaher said. “We have a staff where we can roll out whoever we need to, but when you have a day in between, it gives your guys out of the pen time to recover. That’s going to be big, especially when you talk about Globe and [Walker] McDuffie and [Jackson] Rose and [Matthew Matthijs]. Those guys are going to be able to extend a little bit and then probably still be available for our next game, because it’s not the next day.”
Forbes struck a similar tone when discussing Saturday’s work, saying UNC would practice with intent but keep the day lighter to preserve legs and arms after an emotional opener.
“It won’t be as long,” Forbes said. “Everything we do will have high intent, but we want to keep our guys fresh. We want them to feel good when they play tomorrow night. This is a bought-in group. They’ll be locked in. We have to be present. We have to get better. We always have a saying that you’re either getting better, you’re getting worse, but you’re not staying the same.”
The Tar Heels know the next challenge will be another quality arm and another team capable of beating them. Gallaher said that is exactly what UNC expects.
“I think it’s awesome,” Gallaher said. “That’s what the game’s about. Especially being at UNC, you’re going to get everybody’s best every single game, but that’s one of the great things about it. When that happens, you have to show up every day and be at your best, and that’s what makes you better at the end of the day.”
Gallaher said the Tar Heels have embraced the trip for what it is, a chance to enjoy the moment without losing sight of why they came.
“These guys are all bought in, so there’s nothing I have to worry about,” Gallaher said. “It really just comes down to making sure guys know not to do too much. I’ve been here before, and it’s easy to get caught up in all the stuff outside of the games, and if you let that happen, it’ll catch up to you. Just making sure guys know to enjoy it and take it all in, but when it’s time to be locked in, to be locked in.”
Howe, taking in Omaha for the first time, said the feeling of stepping onto the field was everything he imagined. It also sharpened the team’s focus.
“It was absolutely surreal,” Howe said. “Watching on TV my whole life and always dreaming of playing there, it was awesome just to get on the field with the guys and take care of business in Game 1.”
Both players said the crowd of 24,883 gave the opener a different kind of charge, even for a program used to big games and loud home crowds.
“The Bosh is loud, but the fans really showed up, and it was loud last night,” Gallaher said. “We’re really grateful for their support. We love having them along. They make a difference in the game.”
After spending most of Friday night searching for the timely hit that had been missing for a few games, the Tar Heels finally found it, then found another jolt when Hynek’s three-run homer gave them needed breathing room.
Gallaher, smiling as he described the reaction in the dugout, said everyone sensed the chance to land one more blow.
“We’re sitting there with a one-run lead going into the ninth. We feel good with Globe on the mound, but second and third with two outs, everybody wants to get those two runs in,” Gallaher said. “A couple of guys were pulling their home run cards, a couple of guys called it, and it was just good for him. I’m just happy to see him have that success.”
Now UNC has what it wanted most from Friday: a win, rest before the next game, and a place in the winners bracket, with its confidence reinforced rather than shaken.
“We’re happy to be here, but we’re not satisfied with that,” Howe said. “We’re on a business trip here. The main thing is to have fun and take care of business.”
Notes
— Sophomore right-hander Ryan Lynch (5–4, 4.22 ERA) will start for UNC, likely against West Virginia redshirt junior left-hander Maxx Yehl (9–2, 2.10 ERA), the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. Carolina will be the home team.
— Carolina practiced Saturday at Creighton’s new practice facility, which is a few blocks away from the stadium.
— UNC is 131–86 all-time in the NCAA tournament, including 22–14 under Forbes.
— Carolina is 6–8 at Charles Schab Field Omaha.
— The Tar Heels are 223–89–1 in the last five seasons, winning 71.3%, the third-best in the country behind Tennessee (74.2%) and Oregon State (72.9%).
— UNC has allowed three runs or fewer in five of its seven NCAA tournament games. The Heels have done it 34 times this season, tied with Oregon State for the second-most behind Auburn (36).
— In Friday’s win, Carolina scored all six runs after the fifth inning, marking the eighth time it has been shutout in the first five innings of a CWS game. This was the first such game that the Tar Heels won. It was the most runs by a team that was scoreless through five innings since the CWS moved to Charles Schwab Field Omaha in 2011.
College World Series
At Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Neb.
Sunday, June 21, game on ABC, all other games on ESPN
Bracket 1
No. 5-seed and No. 4-ranked North Carolina (51–12–1), No. 16-seed and No. 9-ranked West Virginia (46–15), Troy (38–31) and No. 23-ranked Ole Miss (41–22)
Bracket 2
No. 3-seed and No. 3-ranked Georgia (51–12), No. 6-seed and No. 6-ranked Texas (45–13), No. 7-seed and No. 16-ranked Alabama (42–20) and Oklahoma (39–22)
Pool play
All listed times are ET
(Probable starting pitchers)
Friday’s results
Game 1: West Virginia 7, Troy 5
Game 2: North Carolina 6, Ole Miss 2
Saturday’s games
Game 3: Oklahoma 9, Alabama 0
Game 4: Georgia (junior right-hander Joey Volchko, 13–2, 4.00 ERA) vs. Texas (sophomore left-hander Dyan Volantis, 10–1, 2.03 ERA), 8:09 p.m.
Sunday’s games
Game 5: Troy (senior right-hander Tommy Egan, 6–5, 5.83 ERA) vs. Ole Miss (redshirt junior left-hander Hunter Elliott, 5–3, 5.15 ERA), elimination game, 2:09 p.m.
Game 6: West Virginia (redshirt junior left-hander Maxx Yehl, 9–2, 2.10 ERA) vs. North Carolina (sophomore right-hander Ryan Lynch, 5–4, 4.22 ERA), 7:09 p.m.
Monday’s games
Game 7: Alabama vs. Ga.-Texas loser, elimination game, 2:09 p.m.
Game 8: Oklahoma vs. Ga.-Texas winner, 7:09 p.m.
Tuesday’s games
Game 9: Troy-Ole Miss winner vs. UNC-WVU loser, elimination game, 2:09 p.m.
Game 10: Monday afternoon winner vs. Monday night loser, elimination game, 7:09 p.m.
Wednesday’s games
Game 11: UNC-WVU winner vs. Tuesday afternoon winner, 2:09 p.m.
Game 12: Monday night winner vs. Tuesday night winner, 7:09 p.m.
Thursday’s games
Deciding Bracket 1 game if Game 9 winner also wins Game 11
Deciding Bracket 2 game if Game 10 winner also wins Game 12
CWS Finals
(Best-of-3 series)
Game 1: Saturday, June 20, 8:09 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, June 21, 1:39 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, June 22, (if needed) 8:09 p.m.
Times in the below bracket are Central Time. Games start nine minutes after the times listed.
| Date(s) | Day/ month | Times/ scores | Opponent (current rank) | Record/ TV * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | ||||
| 13–14 | Fri., Sat. | W, 9–4; W, 12–2 (7); W, 4–3 (11) | vs. Indiana | 3–0 |
| 17 | Tuesday | W, 10–0 (7) | vs. Richmond | 4–0 |
| 18 | Wednesday | W, 5–3 | vs. Longwood | 5–0 |
| 20–22 | Fri.-Sun | W, 10–0 (8); L, 10–3; T, 3–3 | vs. East Carolina | 6–1–1 |
| 24 | Tuesday | W, 9–1 | vs. N.C. A&T | 7–1–1 |
| 25 | Wednesday | W, 13–3 (7) | vs. VCU | 8–1–1 |
| 27–28 | Fri., Sat. | W, 16–3 (7); W, 12–2 (7) | vs. Le Moyne | 10–1–1 |
| March | ||||
| 1 | Sunday | W, 21–1 (7) | vs. Le Moyne | 11–1–1 |
| 3 | Tuesday | W, 5–1 | vs. Elon | 12–1–1 |
| 6–7 | Fri., Sat | L, 13–3 (7); L, 9–2; W, 8–7 (12) | vs. Virginia | 13–3–1, 1–2 ACC |
| 10 | Tuesday | W, 13–3 (7) | vs. Bucknell | 14–3–1 |
| 13–15 | Fri.-Sun. | W, 8–1; W, 6–2; W, 10–2 | at California | 17–3–1, 4–2 |
| 18 | Wednesday | W, 8–2 | vs. UNCG | 18–3–1 |
| 20–22 | Fri.–Sun. | W, 11–1 (8); L, 2–0; W, 7–6 | vs. Louisville | 20–4–1, 6–3 |
| 24 | Tuesday | W, 9–1 | vs. South Carolina in Charlotte | 21–4–1 |
| 28, 29 | Sat., Sun | W, 6–5; W, 13–7; W, 15–10 | at Notre Dame | 24–4–1, 9–3 |
| 31 | Tuesday | W, 5–4 (14) | vs. Campbell | 25–4–1 |
| April | ||||
| 2–4 | Thur.-Sat. | L, 6–1; W, 5–2; W, 8–7 | vs. Boston College | 27–5–1, 11–4 |
| 7 | Tuesday | W, 8–4 | vs. Charlotte | 28–5–1 |
| 10–12 | Fri.–Sun. | L, 9–5; W, 6–4 (14); W, 12–5 | at Clemson | 30–6–1, 13–5 |
| 14 | Tuesday | W, 14–5 | vs. UNCW | 31–6–1 |
| 17–19 | Fri.-Sun. | W, 5–2; W, 14–4 (8); L, 5–2 | vs. No. 2 Georgia Tech | 33–7–1, 15–6 |
| 21 | Tuesday | W, 9–2 | vs. High Point | 34–7–1 |
| 23–25 | Thur.–Sat. | W, 3–1; L, 3–1; W, 22–5 (7) | at Duke | 36–8–1, 17–7 |
| 28 | Tuesday | L, 12–2 | vs. Coastal Carolina | 36–9–1 |
| May | ||||
| 3 | Sunday | W, 13–0 (7) (non-conference game) | vs. Duke | 37–9–1 |
| 8–10 | Fri.-Sun. | W, 4–1; W, 12–2 (8); W, 7–3 | vs. Pittsburgh | 40–9–1, 20–7 |
| 12 | Tuesday | W, 13–7 | at UNCW | 41–9–1 |
| 14–16 | Thur.-Sat. | W, 9–4; W, 17–7 (8); L, 7–2 | at N.C. State | 43–10–1, 22–8 |
| ACC tournament | Charlotte | |||
| 22 | Friday | W, 10–4 | Quarterfinal vs. Virginia Tech | 44–10–1 |
| 23 | Saturday | W, 13–5 | Semifinal vs. Pittsburgh | 45–10–1 |
| 24 | Sunday | L, 13–6 | Championship vs. No. 2 Ga. Tech | 45–11–1 |
| NCAA tournament | ||||
| Chapel Hill Regional | ||||
| 29 | Friday | W, 8–0 | VCU | 46–11–1 |
| 30–31 | Sat.–Sun. | W, 7–5, W, 9–3 | East Carolina | 48–11–1 |
| June | ||||
| Chapel Hill Super Regionals | ||||
| 5–7 | Fri.–Sun. | L, 9–5, W, 4–0, W, 4–3 | Southern Cal | 50–12–1 |
| College World Series | Omaha, Neb. | |||
| 12 | Friday | W, 6–2 | No. 18 Ole Miss | 51–12–1 |
| 14 | Sunday | 7:09 p.m. | No. 9 West Virginia | ESPN |
| 16 and/or 18 | Tues. and/or Wednesday | 2:09 p.m. | Tues: Ole Miss or Troy (with Sunday loss) Wed.: W.Va, Ole Miss or Troy (with Sunday win) | ESPN |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics
