If you’ve ever had the pleasure of taking in a UNC baseball game at Boshamer Stadium during a nice 70-degree spring day, then you were certainly already aware of what the rest of America may just be learning.
According to a survey conducted by D1Baseball.com, the Bosh was ranked the No. 10 overall baseball facility in the country.
Results were taken from a vote that included college baseball coaches and sports information directors nationwide.
Boshamer received 57 points in total, including a pair of first place votes. Clemson and Florida State were the only other ACC programs to have its facilities among the top 10.
Renovations prior to the 2009 season have largely made the stadium what it is today.
An anonymous voter who participated in the voting said that the Bosh is, “A minor league ballpark on a college campus, immaculate field conditions, press box, suite area and offices are second to none.”
A similar poll was also conducted based on the “prettiest settings,” with Boshamer again ranked No. 10 thanks to its location in the middle of UNC’s forest-like campus.
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/survey-lists-boshamer-stadium-as-one-of-nations-top-college-ballparksBoshamer Stadium, the home of the Diamond Heels, will be getting a little makeover this summer.
Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager and Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Adam Warren are working with a few other donors to help build an additional 1,300 square feet of usable space for the UNC baseball program along the first base side of the premises.
A multi-use space able to serve as a visiting locker room, or a place for team meetings and studying, headlines the project–while new locker room space for umpires and former players who choose to workout in Chapel Hill during the offseason will also be built.
Kyle Seager has gone on to great success in the major leagues since leaving UNC after his junior year in 2009. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The construction is slated to begin later this summer, but is expected to be completed before the beginning of the 2017 season.
“I am especially grateful to our former players – including lead donor Vaughn Bryson – and the tremendous supporters of Carolina baseball for their funding of this project,” UNC head coach Mike Fox said, in a statement released by the university. “This improvement will ensure that Boshamer Stadium continues to be one of the nation’s finest facilities for college baseball.
“I am humbled by the generosity of all those who have helped make this project a reality,” the coach added. “Their continued support of the program is greatly appreciated.”
Seager, an MLB All-Star and Gold Glove award winner in 2014, was a standout for Coach Fox from 2007-2009 in Chapel Hill. In 2008, he set the school record for doubles in a season with 30, on his way to being named a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist.
“The three years I spent at Carolina helped turn me into the player and man I am today,” Seager said. “Having a chance to practice and play in the newly renovated Boshamer Stadium was a big part of my UNC experience, and I am excited to have the opportunity to help improve the Carolina baseball experience for Tar Heels who will compete for championships in the future.”
Adam Warren was a four-year player in Chapel Hill, who has spent time with both the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. (Getty Images)
Warren pitched for four years at UNC, including a sophomore season in 2007 where he went 12-0 with a 2.17 ERA.
He reached the major leagues in 2012 with the New York Yankees, playing there for the next four seasons before a trade this past December sent him to Chicago to become a Cub.
“I am and have always been proud to be a Tar Heel, so when I was presented with the opportunity to support the new Boshamer project, it was a no-brainer for me,” Warren said. “Carolina baseball is one of the premier programs in the nation, and the players and coaches deserve top-notch facilities to go along with the product they are putting on the field.
“I am excited to see this project help lead to many more trips to Omaha and a national championship.”
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/former-tar-heels-funding-boshamer-stadium-improvement-projectCHAPEL HILL — Opening their postseason play at home, the #1 ranked and top overall seeded Tar Heels improved to 53-8 Friday night with a 6-3 win over the Golden Griffins of Canisius (42-16) in a game that was closer than the final score showed.
“It was a hard-fought win, we really had to grind — grind it out,” said UNC Coach Mike Fox after his Tar Heels advanced to the “winners” game at 6PM Saturday night against Towson.
But early on it didn’t look like Carolina was going to be challenged. Fox’s team started out hot like they have all year, leading 3-0 after only six at-bats. Outfielder Brian Holbert crushed a double down the right field line that led to his 54th and 55th RBI of the season to give UNC the quick lead.
The #1 ranked Tar Heels now own a +140 advantage in runs scored against their 2013 opponents in the first three innings.
But even though they were down four runs early, Canisius didn’t quit. “I definitely think we built confidence as the game went on,” said right fielder Ryan Coppinger.
Coppinger’s coach echoed his sentiments. “A pitch here, and at-bat there, a play there, a call there, and maybe we’re talking about a different ball game,” said head coach Mike McRae. “I just ran out of innings.”
With how McRae’s team performed against the nation’s most dominant squad in the Tar Heels, you can’t blame him for being confident. Canisius gave up early runs in the first two innings but then absolutely locked down UNC’s big-time bats — shutting Carolina out for five straight innings and retiring eight of nine batters at one point.
Facing a low scoring, 4-3, game after seven innings, the Heels needed some defense of their own. With the pressure on in the top of the eighth, Mike Fox went to his freshman phenom closer, Trent Thornton.
“I can’t remember the last time we had a freshman closer,” said Coach Fox. “He’s a special kid. He even made the dean’s list. He’s got that ‘it’ factor.”
Thornton struggled at first, and was soon facing bases loaded with only one out — with only a one run lead. But the talented right-hander with a season ERA of 1.29 would come through once again for the Heels. Thornton struck out two straight while looking — erupting with a show of emotion that really got the home crowd into the game.
“It’s fun to have pressure,” said Thornton.
Feeling the momentum switch back to the Tar Heels, superfan Tom Jensen (known by anyone who has stepped foot near Boshamer these last few years as the “Tarrr-chant guy”) knew it was time to get the crowd going.
When asked about what fan support can do for his alma mater, Jensen was all smiles. “To have a sold out crowd tonight really says something about how much the community is getting behind this team, and [the Tar Heels] deserve it. I think a lot of the great support has to do with the new stadium, and to their credit, the athletic department has really done a lot to reach out to the community. I think a lot of people just realize how special these guys are want to come out and support this team.”
Hear all of Jensen’s comments:
And with that crowd behind them, the Heels responded. Mike Zolk and Chaz Frank would both record RBIs to give their squad a comfortable 6-3 lead heading into the ninth, where Thornton would once again made quick work of the Canisius offense. The freshman struck out three straight to send the Heels into the “winners” game on Saturday.
Coach Fox on if Thornton’s success surprises him:
The win ensures that Carolina will make Sunday’s games at the very least in the double elimination format. Mike Fox’s #1 ball club will face Towson (30-28), who beat Florida Atlantic 7-2 in the early game at Boshamer Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Like Canisius, Towson will be no pushover. But as the #1 team in the country, everyone is going to give UNC their best shot — something Chaz Frank wasn’t afraid to admit in his post game comments:
“We’re the number one team and the number one seed. And we’re going to have a target on our back. We’re ready for that.”
http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/diamond-tar-heels-take-first-postseason-win-6-3
Aaron In The Afternoon 77°F |
| Today: 80°F / 63°F |  |
| Tomorrow | Sunday | Monday |
 |  | |
| 81° / 58° | 81° / 60° | 80° / 62° |
