University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 4 Tar Heels Travel to Keith LeClair Classic
March 3, 2005 | Baseball
March 3, 2005
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Fourth-ranked North Carolina (9-0) travels from the friendly confines of Boshamer Stadium for the first time season when it heads to East Carolina's Keith LeClair Classic at the brand-new Clark-LeClair Stadium. The Tar Heels will open the event with Pac-10 power Arizona State at 5 p.m. Friday, and will face Ohio State at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by a 1 p.m. Sunday meeting with Michigan. Carolina was unbeaten on its nine-game, season-opening home stand and is off to its best start since opening the 2000 season with a school-record 21-0 mark.
A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
Friday, March 4, 5 p.m.
Carolina vs. Arizona State (8-10)
All-Time Series: ASU leads, 2-1
Saturday, March 5, 2 p.m.
Carolina vs. Ohio State (1-1)
All-Time Series: OSU leads, 3-2
Sunday, March 6, 1 p.m.
Carolina vs. Michigan (3-1)
All-Time Series: UM leads, 6-3
TAR HEELS AT A GLANCE
Carolina Record:
2005: 9-0, 0-0 ACC
Carolina in the National Rankings:
aseball America: 6th
Collegiate Baseball: 4th
Sports Weekly/ESPN: 10th
NCBWA: 5th
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Arizona State: The Sun Devils bring an 8-10 record into Friday's game with the Tar Heels but are coming off a series win over then-No. 8 Baylor. ASU is batting .289 as a team, led by sophomore outfielder Colin Curtis (.366-0-15) and senior catcher Tuffy Gosewisch (.352-1-17). Senior first baseman Jeff Larish has a team-best four home runs and 15 RBI. ASU is expected to start sophomore righty Zechry Zinicola versus UNC. He is 2-1 this season with a 3.38 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 16.0 innings.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are 1-1 entering this weekend. Junior outfielder Cody Caughenbaugh leads the team with a .571 average (4-7), while sophomore outfielder Jacob Howell is batting .500 (4-8) on the young season. Senior infielder Paul Farinacci has a team-best four RBI. Senior lefty Trent Luyster is expected to start against Carolina. He gave up five earned runs in five innings in his only start of the season.
Michigan: The Wolverines enter the weekend with a 3-1 mark and are coming off a 17-12 loss to St. John's in Boca Raton, Fla. Michigan is batting .349 as a team through four games and is led by junior second baseman Chris Getz, who is hitting .562 (9-16) with five runs scored. Senior first baseman Kyle Bohm and junior third baseman A.J. Scheidt lead the team with five RBI.
A LOOK AT THE TAR HEEL STARTERS
Arizona State: Andrew Miller (So., LHP): Last week's ACC Pitcher of the Week following wins over UNC Wilmington and Birmingham Southern, both teams that made the 2004 NCAA Tournament, Miller brings a 3-0 record and a conference-best 0.48 ERA into Friday's game with Arizona State. The preseason All-America lefty allowed just five hits and one earned run over 12 innings and struck out 14 batters in his two starts last week. For the season, he has fanned 18 batters in 18.2 innings. Miller picked up his 100th career strikeout versus Birmingham Southern and is now 9-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 18 career starts.
Ohio State: Daniel Bard (So., RHP): Sophomore preseason All-America Daniel Bard carries a 2-0 mark and a 0.82 ERA into Saturday's start versus Ohio State. He earned his 10th career win in his last start, in which he allowed just one hit over seven innings versus Birmingham Southern. He has 12 strikeouts in 11.0 innings and fanned eight in just four innings versus Seton Hall.
Michigan: To Be Announced: North Carolina's starter for Sunday's game with the Wolverines has yet to be determined.
LAST TIME OUT: NORTH CAROLINA 6, GARDNER-WEBB 5
Sophomore Bryan Steed capped a ninth-inning rally with a two-out, bases-loaded single to lead No. 4-ranked North Carolina (9-0) to a 6-5 victory over Gardner-Webb (5-6) Wednesday at Boshamer Stadium. With the win, the Tar Heels, who are off to their best start since 2000, completed their season-opening home stand with a 9-0 record. With the game tied at five, two out and the bases packed, Steed plated the game winner with a single down the left field line on a 3-2 count. The hit, which came off GWU reliever Matt Taffazzoli, scored sophomore outfielder Jay Cox, who reached on a walk. Cox's walk followed a free pass by the Bulldogs' Brandon Martin to Carolina catcher Justin Webb to lead off the inning. After the walks, senior Ross Cook doubled to center to drive in Webb and tie the score. After two outs and an intentional walk to first baseman Chad Flack, Steed followed with the single for the Tar Heels' second walk-off win in the last three games. Tar Heel closer Matt Danford (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless top of the ninth. He capped a strong showing by the bullpen, which allowed just three hits and one unearned run over six innings.
TAR HEELS, SUN DEVILS SAW STARS IN LAST MEETING
This year's meeting between North Carolina and Arizona State is sure to feature some future stars as a combined three members of Team USA and five preseason All-Americas can be found on the ASU and UNC rosters. But there was some serious star power in the teams' three previous meetings, as the Sun Devils and Tar Heels combined to put 11 future Major Leaguers on the field in a three-game set at Tempe Diablo Stadium in 1984. The Sun Devils featured seven future MLBers, including Barry Bonds, Oddibe McDowell and Mike Deveraux, while the Tar Heels had four on their roster - B.J. Surhoff, Scott Bankhead, Walt Weiss and Matt Merullo. Current Tar Heel pitching coach Roger Williams was a sophomore on that 1984 team. (Thanks to Jeff Evans of Arizona State for this note).
CAROLINA HISTORY VS. BIG TEN RIVALS
Carolina has faced Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan a combined 14 times and owns a 5-9 mark versus the Buckeyes and Wolverines. UNC is 2-3 all-time versus OSU, but the teams have not met since a 6-3 Tar Heel win in Gainesville, Fla., in 1972. All five games in the series have been played in Florida. Carolina is 3-6 all-time versus UM, and the Tar Heels last win in the series came in the 1978 College World Series. Current UNC head coach Mike Fox was a member of that team. Michigan made the trip south to Chapel Hill five times in the 1940s and `50s, and the Wolverines won the teams' last two meetings in Winter Park, Fla., in 1986.
MILLER NAMED ACC PITCHER OF THE WEEK
After shutting down two teams that advanced to NCAA Tournament play a year ago, sophomore preseason All-America Andrew Miller was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced February 28. This selection marks the first ACC weekly honor of his career. Miller picked up two of the Tar Heels' four wins last week to improve his record to 3-0 this season. Against UNC Wilmington and Birmingham Southern, the Gainesville, Fla., native, allowed just five hits and one earned run over 12 innings. He struck out 14 batters on the week, including a season-best eight in six innings the Panthers Sunday. The 6-foot-6-inch lefty did not allow a hit until the sixth inning versus Birmingham Southern. Earlier in the week against the Seahawks, Miller went six innings and allowed just three hits and one walk, while striking out six.
HORTON HEATS UP
Freshman Josh Horton has started each of the last five games at shortstop for the Tar Heels and is currently riding a four-game hitting streak. He is 5-for-10 with four RBI over this stretch and has driven in at least one run in four of the last five games. On the season, Horton is batting .350 and is third on the team with five RBI. He has also played error-free defense and has shown outstanding range. Horton is 3-for-3 in stolen bases.
RECORD START FOR TAR HEEL HURLERS
The Carolina pitching staff has been nothing short of brilliant this season, as the Tar Heels opened with 32 consecutive scoreless innings and did not allow an earned run for the first 43.2 innings of the season. UNC tossed three consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1922 and opened with three consecutive shutouts for the first time in program history. Quality pitching has continued, as the staff currently sports a 1.11 ERA and has allowed just 10 earned runs in 81 innings. The Tar Heels have struck out 80 batters against just 26 walks, and opponents are batting just .175 against Carolina.
CAROLINA EARNS HIGHEST NATIONAL RANKING SINCE 2000
Carolina has been ranked No. 4 by Collegiate Baseball for the last two weeks, marking its highest ranking since that publication rated the Tar Heels No. 2 on March 13, 2000. UNC is also ranked No. 6 by Baseball America for its highest ranking according to the Durham-based publication since being rated No. 3 on March 13, 2000. The No. 2 ranking by Collegiate Baseball on March 6 and 13, 2000 marks the highest in program history. The Tar Heels have been ranked third by Baseball America on three occasions: March 13, 2000 and March 15 and 22, 1999. Carolina's highest ranking in the Sports Weekly/ESPN Coaches' Poll was No. 2, also on March 6 and 13, 2000.
DANFORD DOMINANT IN RETURN
Redshirt sophomore Matt Danford has claimed the closer role, finishing six games and recording three saves and a win in his last four appearances. Danford, who missed all of the 2004 season following surgery on his right shoulder, struck out the side in the ninth versus Appalachian State on February 16 in his first appearance since the 2003 Columbia Super Regional. He has fanned 10 batters and allowed just three hits over 7.1 innings. Danford has not allowed a hit in five of his six appearances.
SOPHOMORE STARTERS SHUTTING `EM DOWN
Sophomores Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller have lived up to their preaseason All-America billing over the first three weeks of the season. The duo is a combined 5-0 and has allowed just two earned runs and struck out 30 batters in 29.2 innings. Miller is 3-0 with an ACC-best 0.48 ERA, while Bard is 2-0 and ranks fourth in the league in ERA at 0.82 (through games of February 28).
STEED COMES THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH
Sophomore infielder Bryan Steed has shown a knack for coming through with the clutch hit in the early season. He ripped the game-winning single down the left field line in the ninth in Wednesday's win over Gardner-Webb, and also came up with a big two-run single in the eighth in Sunday's 6-1 win over Birmingham Southern. Steed is batting .364 (4-11) and is tied for fourth on the team with four RBI. He is also 2-for-5 as a pinch hitter.
COX OFF TO HOT START
Sophomore outfielder Jay Cox is batting .394 through nine games and is tied for the team lead with eight RBI. He has one home run on the season and collected just his second career triple in the February 22 win over UNC Wilmington. Cox is also second on the team with eight runs scored and owns a .545 slugging percentage. He has hit safely in eight of the nine games this season and already has a team-best three multi-hit games.
BULLPEN BRILLIANCE
With the losses of seniors Whitley Benson (115), Kevin Brower (105), Michael Gross (91) and Scott Senatore (94), who combined for 405 appearances from 2001-04, the Carolina bullpen was a question mark entering this season. Thus far, pitching coach Roger Williams' relievers have been brilliant, posting a 0.84 ERA in 32.2 innings. The group has also allowed just 14 hits. Junior Jonathan Hovis, who has made five appearances, has a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings. Redshirt sophomore Matt Danford has nailed down the closer role and is 1-0 with three saves and has yet to allow an earned run in 7.1 innings. Sophomore Robert Woodard has made two starts but has also been solid out of the pen with 17 strikeouts in 11.1 innings. Senior Bryan Phillips, redshirt freshman Rob Wooten and freshman Andrew Carignan have also not yet allowed an earned run in a combined 11 innings.
YOUNTS PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Senior center fielder Chase Younts, who closed the 2004 season on a tear, has quickly regained his form of a year ago. He has hit safely in each game he has had an at bat this season and his current 10-game hitting streak is a career best. On the year, he is batting .400 (8-20) with a home run, a triple and three RBI. His eighth inning triple versus Seton Hall on February 19 proved to be the game-winner in Carolina's comeback victory. Younts is also 3-for-3 in stolen bases and has shown outstanding range in center field.
CAREER GAME FOR ELLINGTON
Redshirt sophomore Matt Ellington had a career game in the Tar Heels' 17-0 win over Seton Hall on February 19. He was 3-for-5 with two home runs and five runs batted in. The five RBI were a career high and the two homers equalled his career total in just one game. His three hits tied his career best effort. Ellington is currently tied for the team lead with eight RBI this season.
WOOTEN SHARP IN DEBUT
Redshirt freshman Rob Wooten, who missed all of last season following shoulder surgery, made his first career appearance in the February 18 win over Seton Hall and tossed thZree shutout innings. He did not allow a hit, walked two and struck out one batter. Wooten made his second appearance versus Gardner-Webb Wednesday and did not allow a hit over two-thirds of an inning. His emergence could be key for a bullpen that lost four veterans following last season.
WOODARD NAMED TO NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Sophomore righty Robert Woodard was named to the 30-member watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award. The award will be given annually to the top relief pitcher in Division I. Nominations were made by each school's baseball sports information contact. A mid-season release, including the national saves leaders, will be updated during the week of April 18. At the end the regular season, the Division I leader in saves and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as the award's first finalists. These finalists will be released on Wednesday, June 1, just prior to the beginning of NCAA regional play. From the list of finalists, the NCBWA's All-America Committee will select a winner. The first annual winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 8, two days prior to the beginning of NCAA super regional action. Woodard pitched in a variety of roles for the Tar Heels last season and posted an 8-2 record. Woodard has worked 11.1 innings this season and has 17 strikeouts.
PRESEASON HONORS FOR TAR HEEL ACES
On of the heels of outstanding rookie seasons, sophomore hurlers Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller each carry an armful of preseason honors in the 2005 campaign. The 2004 ACC Freshman of the Year and a member of Team USA, Bard was named a first-team preseason All-America by Baseball America and garnered third-team honors from Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Named the top prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer, Miller was named to Baseball America's preseason second-team All-America squad and picked up third-team honors from Collegiate Baseball. Baseball America also named Miller the No. 1 prospect in the sophomore class, while bard was rated third on the 50-man list.
BARD, MILLER NAMED TO ROGER CLEMENS AWARD WATCH LIST
North Carolina sophomore preseason All-Americas Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller were each named to the 2005 Roger Clemens Award Watch List, which was released February 11. The winner of the second annual honor, designating the top pitcher in college baseball, will be announced on July 14 in Houston, Texas. The list is comprised of all Division I pitchers who were named as preseason All-Americas by either Baseball America or Collegiate Baseball, in addition to those pitchers who have been honored so far this season as National Pitchers of the Week by the National College Baseball Writers Association. Weekly winners of the writer's award will be added to the list until the start of the first round of voting at the end of April. Additional nominees will be added to the ballot based on notable performances and rankings in the NCAA statistical rankings. The second Clemens Award will be presented to the nation's top college pitcher at the conclusion of a gala dinner in Houston on July 14. All Division I head baseball coaches will take part in the voting for the honor, in addition to a selected panel of national media and all past winners of the Rotary Smith Award, which was retired after the 2003 dinner by the committee that is sponsoring the Clemens Award.
MANGUM'S IRONMAN STREAK
Senior second baseman Greg Mangum has quite an ironman streak in the works. The Charlotte native has played in 125 straight games for the Tar Heels, which is a team-best. Prior to starting all 64 games in the 2004 season, Mangum played in the final 52 games of the 2003 season. The last game he did not play in was against Ball State on March 10, 2003. Over the last four seasons, Mangum has started 155 games (102 at second, 53 at shortstop). He played 53 games at shortstop last season but has returned to second for 2005. He did not start the Feb. 27 game versus Birmingham Southern but pinch hit and played second in the ninth inning.
WEBB MOVES BEHIND PLATE
After playing all over the field in his first three season at Carolina, versatile senior Justin Webb appears to have finally found a home behind the plate in 2005. Webb, who started four games behind the plate last season, will be the starter at catcher for the Tar Heels. He replaces All-America Chris Iannetta, who was a fourth-round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies last June. Webb is off to a solid start for the Tar Heels, batting .360 (9-25) with a team-best nine runs scored and three RBI. Freshman Benji Johnson and Matt Iannetta, Chris' younger brother, add depth at catcher for head coach Mike Fox. Webb has also played third and first this season.
UNDERCLASSMEN RULE IN 2005
With only six seniors and four juniors on the 2005 edition of the Tar Heels, that leaves 23 of the 33 players on the Carolina roster as freshmen and sophomores. While inexperienced, both classes were highly-regarded entering Chapel Hill, and last year's freshman class produced on the field. Led by Daniel Bard, Andrew Miller and Jay Cox, this year's group of sophomores was the nation's consensus No. 1 class, while this crop of freshman was rated No. 11 by Baseball America and No. 18 by Collegiate Baseball. Rookies Reid Fronk, Chad Flack, Josh Horton, Benji Johnson and Seth Williams have all made multiple starts for the Tar Heels this season. The freshman class has contributed 23 base hits and 12 RBI so far this season.
FROM MURPHY TO MANTEO
With some of the nation's best college baseball being played in the Old North State, Carolina does not have to look far for top-notch opponents. The Tar Heels will play 18 games against in-state opponents this season, including eight straight against North Carolina rivals in late April and early May. In addition to three-game sets with Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Duke, NC State and Wake Forest, the Tar Heels will play home-and-home games with UNC Wilmington and East Carolina, both NCAA teams a year ago. Carolina will also play Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb, Elon, Davidson and High Point this season. Twenty-Five of the 33 players on the UNC roster this season are from North Carolina. With wins over Appalachian State, UNC Wilmington and Gardner-Webb, the Tar Heels are 3-0 versus their in-state rivals so far this season.
