Photo courtesy of WCHL
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Heels Return to College World Series
The Diamond Heels are heading back to Omaha and the College World Series for the second time in three years. The Tar Heel faithful were treated to yet another addition to the legend of Cardiac Carolina and Bosh Magic against the USC Trojans. Down 3-1 in the 8th, the Diamond Heels rallied behind hits from Macon Winslow, Jake Schaffner, and Owen Hull to ignite a comeback for the ages. Winslow’s RBI double made it 3-2, and a sac fly from Schaffner in the 9th tied it up. Then Owen Hull launched a bomb off the outfield wall that fell for a double and the Heels walked off the Trojans to punch their ticket back to Omaha.
Before we get into todays game, lets take a look at some fun numbers. First, Owen Hull has an OBP above .500 for the season. If that number holds, he will achieve something that has only been done in the pros 11 times in the modern era. To do so in college is truly remarkable. The Tar Heels reached 50 wins this season, a program first under the leadership of Coach Forbes. Under Forbes, Carolina has eclipsed the 40-win mark 4 times in just 5 years. Carolina has an average of 44.4 wins per-season over that same 5 year stretch.
Caden Glauber was named co-freshman of the year. The rookie phenom has been absolutely lights out for this Diamond Heels team this season. Glauber has a 2.20 ERA at only 18 years old. He has 38 walks and 99 strikeouts in 81.2 innings pitched this year. In the 333 batters faced so far this season, Glauber has allowed only 7 homeruns on 52 hits and just 20 earned runs. He has a perfect 10-0 record, and the Tar Heels are undefeated when Glauber makes an appearance. Caden Glauber and fellow freshman Jackson Rose are going to have to come up big if the Heels are going to have a chance to win it all.
Carolina’s first opponent will be the Ole Miss Rebels out of the SEC. The Rebels are 41-21 overall this season, and just barely made it back to .500 in conference play. They are 15-15 in conference play, and 10-10 on the road this season. But the most important metric? Ole Miss has won 5 straight games. The Rebels are on a bit of a heater, so the Heels cant afford to let down their guard just because of some lackluster statistics.
The Rebels are starting Taylor Rabe against Jason DeCaro tonight, as Rabe has been lights out in his last 4 appearances. He also is a great statistical matchup for Ole Miss, as he is good at preventing what UNC is good at offensively. That being said, pitching off-rotation has not exactly gone well for many teams this season. It is a gutsy move by Ole Miss skipper Mike Bianco. If Carolina can get past this matchup, they have a great chance to win the next one.
Before I finish up, I have a request for everyone reading. Keep Jeff Blackwood and his dad in your thoughts. They might not be in Omaha, but they are in spirit. TAR!!!!
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