Pulling Out The Brooms

The Diamond Heels have not had a great season like they have in the past several years and might just be on the bubble for making the NCAA tournament. A weekend sweep of the Virginia Tech Hokies and a strong finish I believe will carry them through. All three were very close games, 3-2, 6-4, 5-4, as were the previous weeks games against #1 Virginia where they lost 2 of 3. The Diamond 'Heels have a much different team this year. They have to manufacture more runs and keep the pressure on the other teams defense. The pitching has been solid with a team ERA of 2.83 with Trent Thornton being the ace of the staff with a 7-2 record and a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts. On offense, there has been a power shortage on the 'Heels as Michael Russell and Tom Zengel lead the team with 4 Homeruns a piece. Russell also leads the team with a .352 Batting Average and is tied for the team lead in RBI's with 28 with Zengel so he is shooting for the Tarheel Triple Crown.

The Game Of His Life

Hobbs Johnson did what he had to do. He pitched the game of his life against NC State, leading the Tarheels to a 7-0 victory. He pitched a career best 8 1/3 innings, throwing 132 pitches, all of them fastballs. He gave up 5 hits, 0 runs, struck out 6, and walked 2. Reliever Chris McCue came in to get the final two outs on three pitches. Shortstop Michael Russell drove in the 'Heels first run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 4th inning and two more in the 8th inning, helping the 'Heels to close the door with a four run 8th. Colin Moran went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's. The Tarheels as a team had six RBI's with two outs. That is the kind of clutch hitting and pitching the 'Heels need to finish out the tournament and bring the College World Series trophy home. UCLA is up next.