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Deadlocked in a heated battle with Virginia Tech early during Friday's ACC Tournament quarterfinal matchup, the UNC baseball squad found itself in danger of a shocking, early exit.
Thanks to timely defensive plays and two big innings, North Carolina averted a major crisis and rallied to beat the Hokies, 10-4.
As a result of their big victory, the Diamond Heels (44-11-1, 22-8 ACC) advanced to Saturday's ACC Semifinal round, where they'll face 14-seed Pitt for a fourth time this season.
UNC started hot Friday with a second-inning, thanks to a 2-run double from Jake Schaffner. Virginia Tech (30-24, 15-15 ACC) knocked Jason DeCaro for three runs in the third, but Carter French ended things with a beautiful, running catch in right-center field.
North Carolina took the lead for good with a 3-run fourth inning, added a sixth-inning insurance run, then distanced itself from the Hokies with four eighth-inning runs.
The 14-seed Panthers (33-23, 11-19 ACC) are red-hot at the perfect time, upsetting Louisville, Wake Forest and Florida State en route to the semis. Pitt earned the ACC Tournament's third-lowest seed, but a 16-8 blowout, 7-4 win and 8-6 victory have them two wins from the NCAA Tournament.
UNC swept the Panthers in its final, regular season series at Boshamer Stadium, starting with a 4-1 win on May 8. The Diamond Heels mercy-ruled Pitt that Saturday, then won 7-3 on Mother's Day.
The Panthers are playing their best baseball right now, putting North Carolina on upset watch. Keep reading below, as we dive deeper into this ACC Semifinals preview with broadcast information, UNC's key to victory, picks and players to watch from both teams.
TV Channel: ACC Network
Time: Saturday, May 25 at 3 p.m.
Radio: The Varsity Network
Website: WatchESPN
Find a way to neutralize Pitt's bats.
Ryan Lynch, UNC's typical Saturday starter, likely gets the baseball for Saturday's semifinal clash. The Panthers have 31 runs – yes, you read that correctly – in their three ACC Tournament games.
If North Carolina gets in a pinch, it has the bats to counter a pitching blow-up. ACC Freshman of the Year Caden Glauber hurled 5 2/3 innings and extended his perfect record on Friday, so he likely isn't available.
Good news: the Diamond Heels have other stars in their bullpen, like Walker McDuffie and Jackson Rose. Pitching has to be on its A-game Saturday.
The Diamond Heels have an NCAA Tournament spot locked up, while the Panthers need two more upset to reach that mark.
North Carolina used its two best pitchers on Friday, while Pitt's bats are scorching. UNC will have a home-field advantage with plenty Carolina Blue in the stands, but the Panthers simply don't care.
The Diamond Heels get themselves a hot start, but Pitt stays hot and advances to Saturday's ACC Championship
Score prediction: Pitt 8, UNC 6
SS Jake Schaffner: 2-for-3, 4 runs batted in, 1 run, 1 walk in Friday's win
C Colin Hynek: 2-for-3, 1 BB, 3 R in Friday's win
SP Ryan Lynch: 4-4 win-loss record, 4.32 earned run average, 68 strikeouts
RP Walker McDuffie: 6-2, 2.86 ERA, 73 K
3B Kai Wagner: 2-for-4, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB in Friday's win
2B Trey Fenderson: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 1 R in Friday's win
SP Anthony Doganiero: 1 1/3 inning, 5 runs given up (three earned), 6 hits, 1 walk, 3K in Tuesday's win
RP Eddie Smink: Save, 2/3 no-hit innings in Wednesday's win
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: ACC Tournament: Diamond Heels vs. Panthers game preview, info, more
Continue reading...
Thanks to timely defensive plays and two big innings, North Carolina averted a major crisis and rallied to beat the Hokies, 10-4.
As a result of their big victory, the Diamond Heels (44-11-1, 22-8 ACC) advanced to Saturday's ACC Semifinal round, where they'll face 14-seed Pitt for a fourth time this season.
UNC started hot Friday with a second-inning, thanks to a 2-run double from Jake Schaffner. Virginia Tech (30-24, 15-15 ACC) knocked Jason DeCaro for three runs in the third, but Carter French ended things with a beautiful, running catch in right-center field.
North Carolina took the lead for good with a 3-run fourth inning, added a sixth-inning insurance run, then distanced itself from the Hokies with four eighth-inning runs.
The 14-seed Panthers (33-23, 11-19 ACC) are red-hot at the perfect time, upsetting Louisville, Wake Forest and Florida State en route to the semis. Pitt earned the ACC Tournament's third-lowest seed, but a 16-8 blowout, 7-4 win and 8-6 victory have them two wins from the NCAA Tournament.
UNC swept the Panthers in its final, regular season series at Boshamer Stadium, starting with a 4-1 win on May 8. The Diamond Heels mercy-ruled Pitt that Saturday, then won 7-3 on Mother's Day.
The Panthers are playing their best baseball right now, putting North Carolina on upset watch. Keep reading below, as we dive deeper into this ACC Semifinals preview with broadcast information, UNC's key to victory, picks and players to watch from both teams.
What channel is UNC-Pitt baseball on Saturday? Time, TV schedule, radio
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TV Channel: ACC Network
Time: Saturday, May 25 at 3 p.m.
Radio: The Varsity Network
Website: WatchESPN
UNC's Key to Victory
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Find a way to neutralize Pitt's bats.
Ryan Lynch, UNC's typical Saturday starter, likely gets the baseball for Saturday's semifinal clash. The Panthers have 31 runs – yes, you read that correctly – in their three ACC Tournament games.
If North Carolina gets in a pinch, it has the bats to counter a pitching blow-up. ACC Freshman of the Year Caden Glauber hurled 5 2/3 innings and extended his perfect record on Friday, so he likely isn't available.
Good news: the Diamond Heels have other stars in their bullpen, like Walker McDuffie and Jackson Rose. Pitching has to be on its A-game Saturday.
UNC vs. Pitt prediction, picks
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The Diamond Heels have an NCAA Tournament spot locked up, while the Panthers need two more upset to reach that mark.
North Carolina used its two best pitchers on Friday, while Pitt's bats are scorching. UNC will have a home-field advantage with plenty Carolina Blue in the stands, but the Panthers simply don't care.
The Diamond Heels get themselves a hot start, but Pitt stays hot and advances to Saturday's ACC Championship
Score prediction: Pitt 8, UNC 6
Players to Watch from UNC
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SS Jake Schaffner: 2-for-3, 4 runs batted in, 1 run, 1 walk in Friday's win
C Colin Hynek: 2-for-3, 1 BB, 3 R in Friday's win
SP Ryan Lynch: 4-4 win-loss record, 4.32 earned run average, 68 strikeouts
RP Walker McDuffie: 6-2, 2.86 ERA, 73 K
Players to Watch from Pitt
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3B Kai Wagner: 2-for-4, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB in Friday's win
2B Trey Fenderson: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 1 R in Friday's win
SP Anthony Doganiero: 1 1/3 inning, 5 runs given up (three earned), 6 hits, 1 walk, 3K in Tuesday's win
RP Eddie Smink: Save, 2/3 no-hit innings in Wednesday's win
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: ACC Tournament: Diamond Heels vs. Panthers game preview, info, more
Continue reading...
