#1 |
NORTH CAROLINA
tar heels
(54-14, 22-7)
final 2008 ranking: #3 |
 
Things were looking good
for the Heels as they advanced into Omaha as the number
two national seed. UNC defeated LSU twice to single
handedly eliminate the Tigers, but could only go 1-2
against Fresno State to get ousted by the Bulldogs.
Look for the Tar Heels to reach the series for the fourth
straight year with their sights dead set on finally
being the last team standing. Dustin Ackley (.417, 7,
51, 19 SB) and Kyle Seager (.347, 9, 75, 30 2Bs) return
to lead the potent offense, but it’s the Heels
pitching which makes them the team to beat. Starters
Alex White (13-3, 2.83, 113 K), Adam Warren (9-2, 4.23)
and Matt Harvey (7-2, 2.79) went a combined 29-7 last
season, and with Nate Striz (1-0, 2.00) and Brian Moran
(2.76, 72 K in 49 IP) in the bullpen, opposing teams
will have a complicated time pushing runs across the
plate.
|
