re: Getting To Know the Opponent: UCLA, NC State, & UNC

touche

Can't wait

Just injected up Boston butt and got it in the fridge marinating, gonna throw down some BBQ for the tigers game Tom nite

I would tell you to go home, you're drunk, but this is too enjoyable.

I fricking LOVE that youtube video

I'm alive everyone. Went to the indiana game last night. Twas a blast. Now I'm off to tailgate all day. LET'S WIN THIS ONE!

quote:

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Is it Sunday yet?

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Yes.

that is an amazing gif...will never forget that rowdy crew

North Carolina Tar Heels
CWS History - 10th appearance (5th in 7 years), all-time record: 15-19, best finish: 2nd in 2006 & 2007
Record: 57-10
ACC: 22-7, 1st
Non-Conf: 26-1
Home: 40-7
Road: 10-3
Neutral: 7-0

Overview:
The #1 national seed and the vegas favorite hails from Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels spent most of the season at #1 in the polls and with an RPI of #1 were able to earn the top seed in the NCAA tournament. After that, it was anything but easy for the boys in Carolina Blue. Florida Atlantic forced an epic game 7 in the regional round where UNC blew a big lead then battled back from a deficit twice in extra innings to earn a spot in the Super Regionals. In steps rival South Carolina with Mother Nature playing a role as well. After splitting a pair, game 3 was played on a Tuesday morning in Chapel Hill and the Tar Heels would go on to win the see-saw, rubber game 6-5 over the Gamecocks. Over this NCAA tournament, relievers became starters, starters --including ace Kent Emanual-- found themselves making the trot from the pen for a relief appearance. But the Tar Heels prevailed and now battle tested, North Carolina makes its way back to Omaha with plenty of experience seeking its 1st national title.

Key wins include: Rice, Texas A&M, 3-1 vs Clemson, 4-0 vs Virginia Tech, 2-1 vs NC State, Florida State, 2-1 vs South Carolina

(LSU numbers in parentheses)
RPI: 1 (2)
vs Top 25: 17-7 (7-4)
vs Top 50: 28-10 (32-8)
vs Top 100: 41-10 (38-9)

Avg runs scored/game: 7.9 (6.6)
Avg runs allowed/game: 3.3 (2.9)


Road to Omaha:
Chapel Hill Regional - W vs Canisius, W vs Towson, L vs Florida Atlantic, W vs Florida Atlantic
Chapel Hill Super Regional - defeated South Carolina (6-5, 0-8, 5-4)

Common Opponents:
Texas A&M 1-0 (2-1)
Maryland 3-0 (3-0)
South Carolina 2-1 (1-2)
TOTAL: 6-1 (6-3)

Starting Pitching:
Team ERA: 2.78 (2.41)

The North Carolina rotation has been solid all season and it all starts with Kent Emanuel. The 6-4, 225lb lefty, who was the 3rd round draft pick by the Houston Astros ( ), will not over power you despite his size, but rather works his locations tremendouly with that 87-89 mph fastball. The other 2/3rds of the rotation in Hobbs Johnson and Benton Moss have been consistently solid over the year as well. The statistics for each player are below.


Sunday's Expected Pitching Matchup:
So. RHP Carlos Rodon (9-2, 3.19 ERA, 118.1 IP, 85 H, 42 ER, 42 BB, 170 K, .201 OBA)
Jr. LHP Kent Emanuel (11-3, 2.93 ERA, 123.0 IP, 110 H, 40 ER, 28 BB, 89 K, .243 OBA)

Other Starters:
Hobbs Johnson (4-1, 2.62 ERA, 79.0 IP, 57 H, 23 ER, 49 BB, 72 K, .200 OBA)
Benton Moss (8-1, 3.78 ERA, 88.0 IP, 79 H, 37 ER, 34 BB, 91 K, .240 OBA)

Relief Pitching:
When Head Coach Mike Fox has had to rely on relief pitching, the bullpen has been up to the task. Three players inparticular stand out and none more than Trent Thornton. The freshman righty has been outstanding this year with an 11-1 record and a 1.28 ERA in 28 appearances including 5 starts holding opponents to a .194 average against. Standout relievers include:
Fr. RHP Trent Thornton (11-1, 1.28 ERA, 84.2 IP, 60 H, 12 ER, 15 BB, 78 K, .194 OBA)
So. RHP Chris McCue (28 app, 7-1, 2.17 ERA, 58.0 IP, 41 H, 14 ER, 25 BB, 50 K, .197 OBA)
So. RHP Trevor Kelley (30 app, 2-1, 3.50 ERA, 43.2 IP, 31 H, 17 ER, 18 BB, 36 K, .201 OBA)


Offense: (LSU numbers in parentheses)
Team BA: .306 (.308)
Team OBP: .409 (.391)
Team SLG: .438 (.436)

North Carolina has been a solid offensive club for the entire year and their .306 team BA is 2nd best of Omaha teams behind LSU. The Tar Heels are led at the plate by Colin Moran, the 6th overall pick in the MLB draft last week. The junior All-American is leading the team in home runs (13), RBIs (88), and walks (61) while only striking out 22 times and tallying a .343 batting average. Cody Stubbs leads this UNC sqaud in batting average at .366, total hits with 97, and doubles with 26. Freshman DH Landon Lassiter has been outstanding this year as well hitting .361 with team leading .502 OB%. Another key offensive weapon is freshman sensation Skye Bolt. This Carolina switch-hitting right fielder was on pace to give Alex Bregman a run for his money for the Freshman of the Year award before suffering a broken foot in mid-April, resulting in Bolt missing a full month of the season. Prior to the injury, Bolt was hitting .392 but has cooled down to .330 since returning to action on May 14th. Leadoff man Chaz Frank has 22 stolen bases on the season. All in all, UNC has a very dangerous lineup with a good balance of speed and power.


Defense:
UNC is fielding at a solid .975 mark. (LSU .980)