A few key stats tell you all you need to know about UNC’s trip to the College World Series in 2011:
In three games in Omaha, Carolina left 34 men on base and batted .157 (6-for-38) with runners in scoring position while scoring only seven runs.
And with that, the Tar Heels fell to Vanderbilt for the second time, mustering only four hits in a 5-1 loss.
Jacob Stallings did what he could to sink his dad’s employer with a pair of doubles, but UNC fell behind early and could not muster enough offense to overcome the Commodores.
Vandy got to UNC starter Greg Holt early, rocking him for two homers and five runs in only 2 2/3 innings. Holt, who was making only his second start of the season, was promptly yanked and the Commodores would not score again.
But the Heels couldn’t wake up their bats and, after plating a run in the 5th, never got a runner past first base.
It is a disappointing end to an otherwise remarkable season for a very young Carolina team, which finished the season 51-16 and advanced to the College World Series for the 5th time in 6 years. UNC started the year off the radar screen, picked 4th in their own division, but finished with the country’s best RPI and a #3 national seed.
With all the youth in the Carolina dugout, good things can be expected from this group next season and beyond.
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The Holt gamble was a fail.
For some reason, the collective team batting average fell off a cliff. There were still lots of base runners. However, stranding that many just won’t work, regrdless of pitching.
UVa is still in it, but they have had similar problems. I saw the pre rain delay portion of their first game against UC Irvine in person and the way UVa was playing that day Charlottesville was looking like a future major league franchise city.
UVa is especially tough and extermely skilled on defense. They have pitching and offense, but when it is only one or two games to play as with UNC anything can happen.
First, I congradulate Vanderbilt. They proved over the two games that they were the better team.
In 50-50 hindsight it was probably a bad idea to start a pitcher who had only one other start for the year. Was he the third best pitcher on the staff? It was also unfair to place such a burden upon Holt. As are all losses, this was a team loss based upon failures to deliver with men on base and not too much else. Mike Fox produces good teams year after year and the Heels will again be back in Omaha, hopefully with better results next time.
Go Heels!!
Great season for the ‘Heels.
I applaud Fox for taking some gambles, but they need to be smart gambles.
The Diamond Heels are one of the 8 best teams in the NCAA. That is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to the team and staff on what they accomplished this year.
can we not play Vanderbilt in anything anymore……sheesh