Diamond Heels Walk Off Virginia, 3-2
OMAHA, Neb. – Vance Honeycutt delivered a two-out, walk-off single in the ninth inning as No. 4 seed North Carolina secured a 3-2 victory over No. 12 seed Virginia in the College World Series opener. The win marked the fourth time this postseason that UNC emerged victorious with a final at-bat flourish. With this result, Carolina (48-14) advances to the winner’s bracket and will face the winner of the Tennessee vs. Florida State game on Sunday night at 7 p.m. EST.
Clutch Performance by Honeycutt
UNC’s Casey Cook praised Vance Honeycutt’s game-winning hit, highlighting his consistent ability to deliver in pressure situations. Honeycutt’s timely hit capped off a remarkable comeback for the Tar Heels.
In the ninth inning, pinch-hitter Jackson Van De Brake kickstarted the rally with a double followed by Alex Madera’s sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to third.
Strong Pitching Performance
Coach Scott Forbes commended Van De Brake for his critical double in the ninth, praising the leadership and resilience shown by the team. The game featured a strong pitching duel, with Evan Blanco impressing for Virginia before exiting the game in the seventh inning.
Carolina tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning courtesy of a crucial RBI single by Cook, which chased Blanco. Cook finished the game with an impressive 3-for-4 performance, including a double, RBI, and a run scored.
Superb Relief Pitching
Dalton Pence’s standout relief pitching kept UNC in the game, as he pitched 3 1/3 hitless innings and retired the final seven batters he faced. Pence’s efforts earned him the win as he held Virginia at bay to set up Honeycutt’s heroics.
Looking Ahead
Forbes acknowledged Pence’s dominant outing and hinted at his likely appearance in the upcoming game, given his efficient pitch count. On the opposing side, Chase Hungate took the loss for Virginia after surrendering a crucial run in the late innings.
Early Lead
North Carolina jumped to an early lead with an RBI groundout in the first inning, but Virginia countered with runs of its own to keep the game close. Despite facing pressure in the early stages, UNC’s pitching and timely hitting paved the way for a thrilling victory.
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