University of North Carolina Athletics
Losing One To The Noles Not So Bad
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
March 27, 1999
By: Travis Everette, Carolina Baseball
For those of you who pay attention to what you read in the newspapers, maybe you should take a look at what really happened Friday night at Dick Howser stadium. Yes, Carolina did lose a game that was not very close in score, but the Heels showed glimpses of some of the things they do best.
First and foremost, they did not panic or give up when FSU went ahead 11-2. For the second straight weekend-opening game, UNC gave up some runs on lackluster pitching and fielding and then responded with a number of runs. Against one of the best pitching teams in the nation, Carolina managed to scratch four more runs in the closing innings, and they easily could have scored several more. Their best scoring opportunity was cut short when a misinterpretation of the infield fly rule by the home plate umpire negated an infield single by Tyrell Godwin with the bases loaded and only one out. Had that play been left alone, who knows how many runs could have been scored. Not to say that the call determined the outcome of the game, but it was certainly a rally-killer. In the midst of their best offensive spurt of the game, the Heels had that call go aginst them and their head coach ejected for arguing it.
No one would dare take anything away from Florida State because they came ready to play and got great offense against one of the most dominating pitchers in the game (Kyle Snyder), but this game was much closer than the score indicates. Don't count the Tar Heels out yet. They are fired up today and want this game badly. Florida State can be beaten in Tallahassee, and Carolina may be just the team to do it.
