The outcome of a game can’t be attributed to one or two plays, but here’s three of the more important reasons why the top-seeded North Carolina baseball team won the deciding game of its Super Regional against South Carolina 5-4 to advance to the College World Series.
1. Brian Holberton
Early in the game, Tar Heel utility man Brian Holberton showed off his plethora of tools in clutch situations.
In the top of the second inning with two outs already recorded, Holberton had his hands full with a speedy Tanner English on first base looking to steal his way to second.
But the part-time catcher was well prepared, and when English made his move to second, Holberton read it like a book and caught the Gamecock runner stealing to end the inning.
Holberton’s second inning success didn’t stop there, though. After UNC’s first two batter grounded out, Holberton came to the plate with the Tar Heels down 1-0.
One pitch later, the score was 2-1.
With Michael Russell on first base, Holberton popped the first pitch thrown to him over the right field wall into a tree just outside of Boshamer Stadium.
2. What a relief