Horvath, known as ‘Donkey,’ makes ‘swamp time’ pay off with huge 3-run homer

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Swamp time was the right time for slugger Mac Horvath and North Carolina. Before the game, he had the words “SWAMP TIME!” written on the tape that was around his left arm, and “Donkey” — as his teammates call him — proceeded to deliver a key three-run homer in the Tar Heels’ 5–0 victory Saturday over Wright State at Bob Warn Field to stay alive in the Terre Haute Regional.

Struggles at top of order, another short pitching start, send UNC into losers’ bracket

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A microcosm of why Carolina has struggled at times this season played out in the Tar Heels’ NCAA tournament opener, with the lack of length from starting pitchers and hits with runners in scoring position. Combining those with dominant pitching from Iowa right-hander Marcus Morgan (5–1) and struggles at the top of the Tar Heels’ order dumped them into the losers’ bracket of the Terre Haute Regional but not before making some ninth-inning noise.

UNC starts Knapp in opener vs. Iowa, avoids fireballing All-Big Ten pitcher Brecht

After an impressive performance against No. 11-ranked Virginia last week in the ACC tournament, junior right-hander Jake Knapp will start in Carolina’s NCAA tournament opener on Friday. The Tar Heels (35–22), the No. 3 seed in the Terre Haute Regional, face No. 2-seed Iowa (42–14) at Bob Warn Field at 7 p.m. Friday (ACC Network), with Iowa starting sophomore right-hander Marcus Morgan (4–2, 3.88 ERA).

With two top starters and solid bullpen, UNC has pitching to make postseason run

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina’s pitching staff has thrown the Tar Heels for a loop many times this season, whether it be short outings from starters or early-season struggles from relievers. After dealing with little stability in the starting rotation most of the season, UNC coach Scott Forbes enters the NCAA tournament confident with the momentum from only two pitchers he knows will start this weekend and a bullpen that has been solid of late.

If rain washes out ACC semifinals, final, UNC can’t be awarded league title

DURHAM — If the bad weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday is accurate, the outlook for North Carolina winning its second consecutive ACC title isn’t good. If the league cannot complete the ACC tournament at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, it will award the championship to the team with the best record in the tournament. The title will go to the highest-seeded team if there’s a tie.

UNC upsets No. 12 Cavs to make semis behind Knapp, offensive explosion

DURHAM — Neither Carolina nor Virginia started their top pitchers, but junior Tar Heels right-hander Jake Knapp performed like an ace on a day when UNC poured on the offense. Knapp struck out five in 5⅔ innings as No. 7-seed UNC beat No. 12-ranked and No. 2-seed Virginia 10–2 to earn a spot in Saturday’s ACC tournament semifinals to snap the Cavaliers’ 10-game win streak.