OMAHA, NE – A last-inning rally fell short for the Diamond Heels Friday night as the UCLA Bruins ended Carolina’s season with a 4-1 decision in the College World Series.
For the second straight game, Carolina pitching showed similar strengths of those in the regular season. Lefty Kent Emanuel started on the mound and threw seven strikeouts including all three outs in the bottom of the third.
Emanuel’s outing also included a pair of close calls in the second and sixth innings. In the bottom of the second, after UCLA’s Pat Gallagher scored on a chopper through first and second, the Bruins loaded the bases.
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Dave Nathan with the call on the Tar Heel Sports Network.
Emanuel closed three of his six innings pitched with strikeouts.
After the game, UNC Head Coach Mike Fox said the Tar Heel ace proved to onlookers that the lefty still has a lot to give.
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Despite his strengths, UCLA got out in front of Emanuel in the second and sixth with a run in each inning. Just like the second, he stranded the Bruins with bases loaded, limiting further damage.
After Emanuel, Carolina went through five pitchers with none pitching a complete inning.
The Bruins added two more in the bottom of the seventh and took the four-run lead into the latter part of the contest.
In the top of the ninth—thanks to a pair of singles and a walk—North Carolina loaded the bases, and on a fielder’s choice, Mike Zolk got the Tar Heels on the board.
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With two outs, Carolina saw the bases loaded again. Landon Lassier stepped to the plate, and with a 1-2 count…
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With the win, the Bruins advanced to the College World Series Championship; the Tar Heels finished their season 59-12.
Coach Fox said despite not making it to the championship series and getting Carolina’s first ring, this season was one for the books.
***Listen to the Coach’s Comments***
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