"As I sit here on my flight back to North Carolina, 26 hours after the final out was made on the Diamond Heels’ season in Omaha, I finally realize why it has taken so long to find the words to start this column."
There was nothing but tears and end-of-year hugs. It was over, just like that. The magic had run out.
Following the Diamond Heels’ 6-1 loss to No. 1 Tennessee on Sunday, head coach Scott Forbes had one message for his team: Move on.
OMAHA, Neb. — The No. 4 UNC baseball team (48-15), who has made a living on late-game heroics, couldn’t overcome an early four-run hole against No. 1 Tennessee (57-12) on Sunday, falling 6-1 in the winner’s bracket game.
Now fast forward several months, and Sprague will be taking the mound to start UNC’s second game in the Men’s College World Series on Sunday. He has become an indispensable part of UNC’s rotation as its second starter boasting a 4.00 ERA, and has proven himself to be given the start with a spot in the CWS semi-finals on the line.
Honeycutt’s late-game heroics delivered the Tar Heels a win in the opening game of the 2024 Men’s College World Series. The victory was UNC’s first in Omaha in 2,190 days and the team’s third walk-off win in seven games.
By settling in before a potential career-defining moment, Forbes hopes that his Tar Heels will acclimate to the limelight and reach their goal — UNC's first national championship.
With a Chapel Hill Super Regional victory last weekend, UNC will make the 1,206 mile trip to Omaha, Neb. to begin the journey for its first CWS championship. The Tar Heels will take on No. 12 Virginia in the first round of the double elimination tournament on Friday at 2 p.m. EST. The other teams at the series include Florida State and Tennessee.
DeCaro took a chance on head coach Scott Forbes and the Diamond Heels by reclassing to help the Tar Heels’ 2024 campaign. And on Saturday night, that chance paid off in his final home start of the season.
No. 1 seed UNC’s middle infield — a stalwart of the team all season — delivered game-changing hits in Monday’s thrilling 4-3 win over No. 2 seed LSU to send the Tar Heels to the super regionals for the first time since 2022.
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