 "Photo: DTH/Timothy Reese")
OMAHA, NEB. - For the second consecutive year, the North Carolina baseball team watched another team celebrate a national championship on pitcher's mound at Rosenblatt Stadium.
For a second time, the Tar Heels looked on as Oregon State (49-18) tossed its gloves in the air after the final UNC batter was put away.
Unlike last year, however, when the Beavers' won a tight three-game battle for the championship, this time around, Oregon State was clearly the better team as the Beavers defeated North Carolina 9-3 on Sunday night to complete their finals sweep and quest for back-to-back NCAA crowns.
"I've got to congratulate Oregon State," UNC head coach Mike Fox said. "What an unbelievable accomplishment that is to win back-to-back national championships. Can't ever say never but I'm not sure that's gonna be done here at this level too many times."
With the win, OSU is the first squad to win a national championship in consecutive seasons since Louisiana State accomplished the feat in 1996-97.
Early in the game, though, things looked like they were going to be different for the Tar Heels. North Carolina (57-16) grabbed a quick 1-0 lead when first baseman Dustin Ackley singled to left field to score junior Reid Fronk. The 1-0 deficit was Oregon State's first in 61 innings.
But as was the case throughout the finals, UNC couldn't produce the big inning, failing to capitalize with runners on second and third and only one out. For the game, North Carolina left 10 runners on base, and couldn't seem to get that one hit to jumpstart the offense.
"We couldn't just get that big hit, whether it's two outs or an extra-base hit with people on base," Fox said. "I felt like if we could just get one, it would really spark the rest of us, and maybe more would follow."
North Carolina's inability to hit in the clutch was amplified when OSU took the lead right back from the Tar Heels in the top of the second, forcing UNC to play catch up the rest of the game.
Oregon State catcher Mitch Canham, one of the six Beavers on the Men's College World Series All-Tournament Team, hit an infield single of UNC starter Luke Putkonen to lead off the second. Then shortstop Darwin Barney gave OSU the lead with a two-run homer that just cleared the left field fence.
Six batters later, the Beavers led 3-1 and right-hander Andrew Carignan replaced Putkonen, who lasted just 1.2 innings allowing three runs - two earned - on three hits and two walks.
Just as importantly, the two-run lead seemed to help settle down OSU right-hander Mike Stutes after a tough first inning. With the cushion, Stutes was able to hold the Tar Heels at bay as he threw 5.1 innings allowing three runs on seven hits.
And as devastating as his five strikeouts were, his ability to come up with the big pitch to halt any potential UNC rally was really the key.
"I think to win a national championship you obviously have to have pitching," UNC shortstop Josh Horton said. "And they held us to four or less runs both nights. So you have to give all the credit in the world to them."
As well as Oregon State played, the game was still up for grabs through the bottom of the seventh inning.
OSU led 7-3 after Carignan and right-hander Rob Woodard each gave up two runs in 5.2 combined innings of relief, but UNC was mounting a late charge when center fielder Seth Williams ripped a double down the left-field line with one out and a runner on first.
Fox elected to waive right fielder Tim Fedroff home, though, and Barney unleashed a perfect relay throw to the catcher that just beat Fedroff to the plate for the second out of the inning.
Designated hitter Kyle Seager then struck out to end the inning - and any possibility for a comeback.
Although the year didn't end in the manner North Carolina had hoped for, that doesn't diminish all of the things UNC accomplished. The 57 wins set a single-season team record, and the Tar Heels are one of three teams to reach the finals since the NCAA went to the current format in 2003.
"We've accomplished some great things," Fox said. "This is a special place, and I wouldn't want to end our season anywhere else honestly."
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
