North Carolina Tar Heels Final '07 Rank: 2 57-16

North Carolina finished the 2007 season with a school-record and NCAA best 57 wins (57-16, 21-9 ACC). Nevertheless, the Tar Heels were once again national bridesmaids, bested by the Oregon State Beavers in the CWS championship for the second year in a row. The ‘Heels will give it their all in 2008, focused on another run to and through the CWS, hoping to finally capture their elusive first national baseball title. UNC’s roster took a big hit in the off season as they lost their top two starters in Robert Woodard (11-2, 3.30) and Luke Putkonen (8-2, 4.57), their All-American closer Andrew Carigan (1.43, nation high 18 saves) and a major offensive cog in Josh Horton (.335, 9, 53); however a more than capable lineup returns to Chapel Hill which should have the Tar Heels back in contention for another ACC crown and return to Omaha.

Sophomore first baseman Dustin Ackley had a remarkable debut season. He led the nation in hits (119), hit .402 with 33 extra base hits and showed incredible plate discipline, striking out only 21 times. Another sophomore who had a prodigious first year was outfielder Tim Fedroff. The New Jersey native who keeps dirt from the Yankee Stadium warning track in his bat bag, hit .344 and didn’t make a single error all season. The return of multitalented Tim Federowicz is another major boon for UNC. Federowicz was one of the nation’s top rookie catchers in ’07, and also logged time at first when Ackley needed a spell. Additionally he appeared in 16 games in relief, saving three games and striking out 26 batters in 27.2 innings. Infielder Kyle Seager also put up some impressive numbers as a freshman, but was overshadowed by Ackley, Fedroff and Federowicz’s exploits. Seager played in 66 games, starting 48, and batted .308 with 10 doubles and 30 RBI. Shortstop/second baseman Garret Gore gives North Carolina additionally stability in the infield. The junior hit .324 in a utility role and should have an opportunity to earn some more starts and at bats as a result of his steady hitting.

On the hill, Adam Warren and Alex White are UNC’s top returning starters. Warren had a breakout season in ’07, finishing with a 12-0 record and 2.17 ERA while limiting opposing batters to a .220 batting average. White’s numbers weren’t quite as gaudy, but has tremendous potential and ability, as demonstrated by his selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourteenth round of the 2006 draft. As a freshman White had a 6-7 record, a 4.94 ERA and struck out 83 batters in just 98.1 innings. Returning senior reliever Rob Wooten led the nation in appearances, finding action in 47 games in ’07. While on the mound he had a 2.35 ERA, 6-1 record and fanned over a batter an inning (58 Ks in 53 IP). A couple of freshman arms may factor in greatly in the ‘Heels ability to make it back to Rosenblatt for the third consecutive year. Right-handers Matt Harvey and Nate Striz were each selected in the top five rounds of last year’s MLB draft, but chose to don Tarheel Blue rather than ink professional contracts. Both were rated in Baseball America's top 100 prep prospects.