Over the past seven games, the North Carolina baseball team has outscored its opposition 61-23.
Mike Fox wants to focus on the latter number.
The Tar Heel head coach knows the runs are fun and the homers are flashy. But why does he think UNC hasn’t lost a game so far in the postseason?
“Pitching and defense.”
The team has always had power, between Michael Busch, Brandon Martorano and superstar first-year Aaron Sabato, among others. UNC has seven different players with at least six home runs, and Busch and Sabato are tied for first on the team with 16 apiece.
But recently, when the stakes have been highest, like in this past weekend's NCAA regional round in Chapel Hill, it’s the subtler elements of the game where UNC has shined.
“If we pitch and play defense, we’re gonna win,” Fox said. “Most teams are gonna win if they pitch and play defense. It’s been shaky for us, but boy, it’s showed up, the last two days especially.”
While the 16-1 drubbing of Liberty on Saturday showcased five home runs, it also had three double plays, a season high for the team. UNC has had major contributions on the mound as well, from Austin Bergner’s impressive outing on Sunday to a bullpen that combined to allow just two earned runs over 12.1 innings in three regional games.
North Carolina shines in another often unrecognized area: walks. Three different players — Busch, Dylan Harris and Ike Freeman — have drawn more than 50 walks this season, a first in program history.
