University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Meets Clemson in First Round of ACC Tourney
May 25, 2004 | Baseball
May 25, 2004
SALEM, VA. - For the second consecutive year and the third time since 1998, No. 5-seed North Carolina (38-17, 14-10 ACC) faces No. 4-seed Clemson (34-22, 14-10 ACC) in the first round of the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championship at Memorial Baseball Stadium in Salem, Va. The Tar Heels and Tigers will play game No. 2 of the tournament at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The winner will play at 5 p.m. Thursday, while the loser plays at 10 a.m. Thursday. Jones Angell and Adam Pohl of the Tar Heel Sports Network will provide audio for of UNC's tournament games on AM-1360 WCHL and at TarHeelBlue.com.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Since the first ACC Tournament in 1973, Carolina owns a 57-50 record in the annual event. The Tar Heels have won four conference titles (1982-84, 1990) and have appeared in the title game eight times, but none since 1990. In fact, the Tar Heels have not won more than two games in the conference tourney since the 1990 team went 5-0 in the event. Head coach Mike Fox is 4-10 in five years of ACC Tournament play. Last year in Salem, Carolina defeated Clemson (10-2) and Florida State (3-2) before losing to NC State (7-6) and eventual champion Georgia Tech (10-6).
VS. ACC TOURNAMENT OPPONENTS
Clemson 10-14 Duke 9-2 Florida State 1-4 Georgia Tech 4-9 Maryland 10-1 NC State 7-10 Virginia 8-4 Wake Forest 8-6 Total 57-50TITLE GAME APPEARANCES
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990CHAMPIONSHIPS WON
1982, 1983, 1984, 1990
FIRST ROUND MATCH-UP: CAROLINA VS. CLEMSON
Carolina has played 24 ACC Championship games against Clemson, the most against any opponent. In the teams' most recent postseason meeting, the Tar Heels won, 10-2, in the first round of last year's tournament. Sammy Hewitt went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBI to lead Carolina to the victory. Earlier this season, the Tigers handed the Tar Heels their first series loss of the season, by winning two of three in Chapel Hill. Carolina held Clemson to just six runs in the series but dropped game one, 2-1, on April 16, and game three, 4-2, on April 18. The Tar Heels took game two, 4-0, behind seven shutout innings from Garry Bakker. UNC head coach Mike Fox is 8-12 all-time against Clemson and 1-1 in the ACC Championship.
A LOOK AT THE TOP TAR HEEL STARTERS
Daniel Bard (Fr., RHP): Bard brings an 8-3 record and a 3.37 earned run average into his first ACC Championship. The freshman ranks fourth in the league in wins, seventh in ERA and seventh in innings per appearance (6.10). Bard also has 62 strikeouts versus just 25 walks on the year. With just one more win, he will break the school record for victories by a freshman. Last time out, Bard allowed four runs on nine hits and four walks in four innings against NC State.
Garry Bakker (Jr., RHP): Bakker sports a 4-5 record on the year and a career-best 3.79 ERA. Over his last five starts, Bakker owns a 2.03 ERA. He ranks second on the team with 76.0 innings and stands 10th in the ACC with 5.85 innings per appearance. Bakker gave up three runs in 5.2 innings against NC State last Friday.
Andrew Miller (Fr., LHP): Miller is 5-2 on the year and ranks third in the league with a 2.62 ERA, including a 1.32 mark in his last five appearances. He also ranks fifth in the ACC with 9.04 strikeouts per nine innings. After striking out 11 in eight shutout innings against Miami on May 16, Miller allowed just two hits but walked five against NC State last Saturday.
FRESHMEN STARTERS PACE PITCHING STAFF
The combination of rookie starters and a veteran bullpen has been a success for the Tar Heels, as 20 of Carolina's 38 wins have come from freshmen. Daniel Bard leads the way with eight victories, Robert Woodard has seven wins and Andrew Miller has five. Bard and Miller have been outstanding all season and they are the only two freshmen to rank among the Atlantic Coast Conference's top 10 in earned run average. Miller ranks third at 2.62, while Bard stands seventh at 3.37. Woodard picked up two wins last week (Davidson, NC State) and has a 1.59 ERA over his last eight appearances. The trio of Bard, Miller and Woodard are a combined 20-7 on the season with a 3.12 ERA in 204.2 innings pitched.
MANGUM FINDS POWER AGAINST PACK
After going homerless in the first 52 games of the season, standout infielder Greg Mangum found his power stroke against NC State last weekend. He hit his first round-tripper of the season on the first pitch of the game from Michael Rogers last Thursday and aided the Carolina comeback with his second shot of the series off Joey Devine in Saturday's win. On the year, Mangum is batting .311 with two homers and 16 RBI. He leads the squad with 13 steals in 19 chances. Over the last four games, Mangum is batting .438 (7-for-16) with five runs scored. He leads the team with 21 multi-hit games, including six games with at least three hits.
TAR HEEL VETERANS HAVE ENJOYED TOURNEY TIME
Juniors Chris Iannetta and Greg Mangum, Carolina's two most veteran position players, have enjoyed success at the ACC Championship. In seven games played, Iannetta is batting .413 (12-for-29) with four runs scored and three RBI. He has hit safely in his last five games at the annual event. Mangum is batting .269 (7-for-26) with three runs scored and four RBI in seven games. He had two hits in the final two games of last year's tournament.
HUBBARD PRODUCES ONE OF THE TOP RBI SEASONS IN UNC HISTORY
Atlantic Coast Conference RBI leader Marshall Hubbard is in the midst of one of the top run-producing seasons in program history. The junior right fielder has driven in 69 runs, which is tied for the fifth-best total in Tar Heel history with Howard Freiling (1987). Sean Farrell (2002) and Steve Estroff (1990) are tied for third at 73. Scott Johnson holds the school record with 81 RBI in 1985.
HONORS PILE UP FOR IANNETTA
Junior catcher Chris Iannetta is being recognized nationally for his fine season behind the plate. On May 20, he was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Johnny Bench Award presented annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. The original list featured 45 of the country's top catchers and three finalists will be announced June 3. On May 13, Iannetta was named one of 30 semifinalists for the 2004 Dick Howser Trophy, presented annually to the top player in college baseball. The list was released by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in association with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Iannetta is having an outstanding season at the plate, batting .332 with 12 home runs and 61 RBI. Behind the plate, he has picked off nine runners and has thrown out 50 percent (22-of-44) would-be base stealers. Iannetta owns a .988 fielding percentage in a team-best 502 chances.
GROSS GETS IT DONE
After suffering back-to-back losses on May 8 and May 12, senior closer Michael Gross has been nearly perfect in his last three appearances, all saves. Gross closed both wins at Miami and then shut down NC State in the ninth in last Saturday's win. He has allowed just one base hit and has fanned four in three innings over this stretch. Gross, who is 3-2 with a 2.41 ERA, is fourth in the ACC with seven saves. He has 48 strikeouts against just six walks in 41.0 innings.
GEHRIG, RIPKEN ... IANNETTA?
Carolina has its own iron man in junior catcher Chris Iannetta. The Johnny Bench Award nominee has been a constant behind the plate for the Tar Heels this season catching 453 of 498 innings played or 91.0 percent of all action. In Atlantic Coast Conference play, Iannetta has caught 214 of 217 innings or 98.6 percent of play.
TAR HEELS BOAST THREE OF ACC'S TOP SLUGGERS
Only 13 players in the ACC have reached double-digits in home runs this season, and three of them wear Carolina blue. With Marshall Hubbard (15 homers), Chris Iannetta (12), Sammy Hewitt (11) the Tar Heels one of only two league schools (Florida State) to have three players with 10 or more round-trippers.
HEELS HANDLE HURRICANES
Thanks to a remarkable weekend of pitching, the Tar Heels took two of three at then-No. 2 Miami last weekend. Carolina hurlers limited the Canes to five runs (three earned) over the three game set. Miami entered the weekend averaging nine runs per game. Freshmen Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller combined to work 16 innings and allowed just one run. Senior closer Michael Gross picked up a pair of saves on the weekend.
YOUNTS PROVIDES POP
Despite hitting just one career home run entering this season, junior outfielder Chase Younts has four home runs this season. He now ranks fourth on the team in the category and is tied with sluggers Marshall Hubbard, Chris Iannetta and Sammy Hewitt for the most homers on the team (four) since April 14. Over this stretch, he is batting .344 with four homers and 16 RBI.
BAKKER BACK TO FORM
Junior Garry Bakker was in the midst of an up-and-down season but put it all together over the stretch run. Over his last five starts, he sports a 2.03 ERA. After throwing seven shutout innings against Clemson on April 17, he followed that up by allowing just one earned run in 6.1 innings in a loss at Duke on April 24. Bakker also gave up just one run on seven hits in a win over Maryland on May 8. He gave up two earned run in 5.2 innings against Miami on May 15 and surrendered three earned runs to NC State last Friday. On the year, Bakker is 4-5 with a career-best 3.79 ERA.
SCORING EQUALS SUCCESS FOR TAR HEELS
Carolina's 7-6 record in May can likely be attributed to a drop in offensive production. Over this stretch, the Tar Heels are scoring 5.1 runs per game, compared to a 6.9 average for the season. Carolina is also batting just .261 as a team this month, compared to a .292 mark for the entire year. The Tar Heels have only lost three times when scoring at least five runs, and are 16-0 when scoring in double-digits. Carolina has only scored 10-plus runs once in its last 11 games.
BENSON, BROWER AMONG ACC'S ALL-TIME LEADERS IN APPEARANCES
Despite taking a loss at Miami last weekend, senior Whitley Benson has made 26 appearances this season and now has 111 in his career to tie for ninth all-time in Atlantic Coast Conference history with Keith Fleming of Georgia Tech (1983-86). Benson is also third in the Carolina record book. On the year, he is 4-1 with one save and a 2.31 ERA. He has made two starts this season and has pitched in a variety of roles out of the bullpen. Classmate Kevin Brower has appeared in 22 games this season and 103 for his career. He now stands fourth on the Tar Heels' career list and tied for 12th in ACC history with Jase Wrigley of Georgia Tech. Brower is 1-1 with one save and a 3.68 ERA this season. Additionally, fellow senior reliever Michael Gross leads the team with 27 appearances, and Scott Senatore has pitched in 25 games this season. Gross, Benson and Senatore rank among the league's top 10 in appearances this year.
TAR HEELS SHOW IMPROVED DEFENSE
Since four Tar Heel errors led to five unearned runs in the 9-4 loss to South Carolina on May 11, Carolina has showed improved defense and has committed just seven miscues in the last eight games. Defense has been a problem for the Tar Heels at times this season, as UNC has committed at least three errors in five of its 15 losses this year. All four games in which Carolina has committed at least four errors have been losses. On the year, UNC has made 86 miscues and sports a .961 fielding percentage.
WEBB WORKING HIS WAY BACK
Junior utility man Justin Webb, the Tar Heels' most versatile player, has seen action in each of the last nine games and has started at third base in the last five games. After suffering a fractured left arm after being hit by a pitch at Wake Forest April 4, Webb missed Carolina's next 17 games. Over this stretch, the Tar Heels went 11-6 overall and 6-6 in the ACC. With Webb in the lineup, Carolina is 27-11 overall and 8-4 in league play. Despite going just 1-for-17 since returning to the lineup, Webb has helped to strengthen the Carolina defense. In his five starts, the Tar Heels are fielding .974, compared to the .961 season mark.
CAROLINA ENJOYS ROAD SUCCESS IN THE ACC
With two wins at Duke in its last ACC series, the Tar Heels posted an 8-4 record in conference play on the road. The eight victories ties for the most in program history since the league went to its current three-game series format in 1990. The Tar Heels also won eight conference road contests in 1990 and '96. This year's team wrapped up league play with an 8-4 mark after winning series at Virginia, Wake Forest and Duke. Overall, Carolina stands 12-6 on the road this year.
HEELS KNOW HITTING STREAKS
Junior right fielder Marshall Hubbard hit safely in 18 straight games until going hitless against No. 7 South Carolina on May 11, but the Tar Heels are no strangers to long hitting streaks this season. Carolina batters have combined for four hitting streaks of at least 10 games and 11 different Tar Heels have had hitting streaks of at least five games. Hubbard had streaks of 18 and 12 games, junior catcher Chris Iannetta had a 23-game hitting streak from March 9 to April 14 and Justin Webb had a 10-game streak from March 13-26. Hubbard is currently on an eight-game hitting streak, while Mangum has hit safely in the last five games.
BARD EQUALS ROOKIE WIN RECORD
With a win at Miami last weekend, Daniel Bard tied the Carolina school record for victories by a freshman. Carter Harrell (2002), Paul Shuey (1990) and Michael Hoog (1987) also won eight games as rookies. Bard is 8-2 this season with a 2.99 earned run average. He was named the top freshman pitcher in the country at the midseason point by Baseball America. Freshmen have accounted for 20 of Carolina's 38 victories this season, as Robert Woodard has seven wins and Andrew Miller has five.
BARD PICKED FOR USA BASEBALL NATIONAL TEAM TRIALS
Freshman right-hander Daniel Bard was among 19 collegiate players that have been invited to participate in the 2004 USA Baseball National Team Trials, the organization announced April 29. The trials are scheduled for June 20-26 in Durham. The USA Baseball National Team will be selected from a pool of 36 players, of which an additional 17 have yet to be determined. The official 20-man team roster will be announced June 27. Bard spent last summer with the USA Junior National Team.
HUBBARD NAMED TO GOLDEN SPIKES WATCH LIST
Junior right fielder Marshall Hubbard was one of 30 players named to the first Golden Spikes Award Watch List, announced by USA Baseball in association with the Major League Baseball Players Association. The award is regarded as amateur baseball's most prestigious honor. USA Baseball will announce the five finalists for the award in June. The top 30 players on the watch list are subject to change based on weekly performance.
TAR HEELS BIG ON BIG INNINGS
With an eighth-run fifth in the May 5 win at UNC Greensboro, Carolina has scored at least five runs in an inning 15 times this season. The Tar Heels have also scored at least eight runs in an inning on four occasions, with two coming against the Spartans. The season-high for runs in a single inning is 11 against St. Francis on March 5.
