Tar Heel Fan

When: Sunday, June 24th, 7:00 PM EDT
Where: Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, NE
TV/Radio: ESPN2, 850 AM(Raleigh/Durham), 1360 AM(Chapel Hill)
Records: UNC 57-15; Oregon State 48-18

Once again it is up to Luke Putkonen to bail UNC’s collective rear ends out in an do or die game.  If he can repeat the performance he had against Louisville with some help from the offense the Heels should be able to tie this series up.  There are two positive UNC has going in.  The first is that Rob Wooten and Andrew Caringan did not pitch in Game 1 because it got so out of hand.  They needed the rest and might have to be pressed into service for as much as three combined innings if necessary.  The second positive is only moot if UNC wins and that is the fact Robert Woodard would start a decisive Game 3.  OSU has their ace going tonight which could make things difficult for the Heels.

This is the way things have been all tournament for UNC.  Either they are down in a game and forced to rally or find themselves staring at a season ending loss if they do not take care of business.  Anything less than UNC leaving it on the field this evening will be disappointing and completely out of character.

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When: Saturday, June 23rd, 7:00 PM EDT
Where: Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, NE
TV/Radio: ESPN, 850 AM(Raleigh/Durham), 1360 AM(Chapel Hill)
Records: UNC 57-14; Oregon State 47-18

Rematch.

UNC survived three elimination games to get to the title series to face a Beaver team some though would not make the tournament but who have been every bit the part of defending champion in sweeping their bracket. The biggest concern facing UNC is how well the pitching holds up given the stress of the three straight do or die games. Both Rob Wooten and Andrew Caringan looked a tad tired in closing out Rice on Thursday which means it would be great if the offense could post a big number on Saturday to stake a huge lead and keep the bullpen quiet so they can be fully available for Games 2 and 3 if necessary. Of course the bats have been hot and cold for UNC at the CWS. This is from a team that usually puts together a nice mix between power hitting and small ball. UNC is also leaning on some young players which have show some incredible maturity under the pressure of the big lights of Omaha. While this Tar Heel team has shown an incredible ability to played their best with the backs against the wall, I would prefer they not.

Time to take care of business this time around.

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When: Thursday, June 21st, 7 PM EDT
Where: Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, NE
TV/Radio: ESPN2, 1360 AM(Chapel Hill)
Records: UNC 56-15; Rice 56-13

Honestly I think UNC has the momentum as much as anyone can have it at the CWS. They are coming off two straight games of giving up only two total runs. The Heels turned it around from the loss against Rice where they gave up 14 runs to hold the Owls in check for the second game. I also think the pressure really shifts onto Rice now who was sitting there one win away and came out rather flat. Add to that the fact this is the exact same scenario Rice faced a year ago. In 2006, Rice got Oregon State coming out of the loser’s bracket and proceeded to drop two straight to miss their chance at playing in the title series. If UNC can post a lead early it might rattle the Owls. That being said, both these teams are experienced and understand what it takes to win at this level.

Here are the pitching probables from the N&O:

NORTH CAROLINA

Adam Warren, Sophomore, RHP, 11-0, 1.95 ERA

UNC’s mid-week starter in the regular season got the win Friday against Mississippi State. In 4 1/3 relief innings, he gave up no runs and struck out four.

RICE

Matt Langwell, Junior, RHP, 8-1, 2.11 ERA

Langwell has pitched only 1 2/3 innings in this CWS, giving up four runs on five hits. But he has two wins in the NCAA tournament, with a 3.00 ERA.

On paper this is a heck of a matchup. I like that Warren is going for UNC and that he has had five days to rest since he shutdown MSU on Friday.

Also, from ESPN.com, Rice has been somewhat inept offensively in game which would put them into the CWS title series:

Rice has now scored a grand total of one run in its last three games with a chance to clinch a spot in the CWS championship series. The Owls were beaten 5-0 and 2-0 by Oregon State last year.

I hope that does not mean they are due for a big offensive explosion.

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When: Wednesday, June 20th, 2 PM EDT
Where: Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, NE
TV/Radio: ESPN2, 1360 AM(Chapel Hill)
Records: UNC 55-15; Rice 56-12

UNC faces their second elimination game in as many days.  They also rematch with Rice who spent yesterday watching UNC knock off Louisville.  We can only hope the day off cooled the bats for Rice and the Heels can extend the good pitching from yesterday.  Now in one respect this is a tough position to come from but in many ways it is not unlike being down 1-0 in a best of three series.  Obviously all the pressure is on UNC to avoid elimination.  If they can force the second game on Thursday it puts significant pressure back on Rice not to blow two straight games and get knocked out of the CWS.  UNC will send Robert Woodard to the mound who is essentially the ace of the staff.  Woodard had a difficult outing versus Mississippi State lasting only 1 1/3 innings and will be looking for redemption not only for this year but for last year as well since he was the starter in Game 2 versus Oregon State and gave four runs in the first three innings as UNC squandered a 5-0 lead and eventually the national title.

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