University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Open Regional Play With California
June 2, 2010 | Baseball
June 2, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ---- North Carolina (36-20) opens its quest for a fifth straight trip to the College World Series Friday challenging California (29-23) at 7 p.m. (CST) in game two of the NCAA Norman Regional at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
No. 1 seed Oklahoma (44-15) will meet No. 4 seed Oral Roberts (35-25) at 1 p.m. (CST) in the first game of the double-elimination event, which resumes with two games both Saturday and Sunday. The winner will advance to the face the champion of the Charlottesville (Va.) Regional in the Super Regional round of 16 for the right to advance to the College World Series.
The Tar Heel Sports Network will broadcast every game this weekend via AM 1360-WCHL, Sports Radio 99.9 The Fan in the Triangle (99.9 FM) and WBAG in Burlington (1150 AM). Each game of the Norman Regional will also be streamed for free live online on Soonersports.com, visit the 2010 Norman Regional Central Page for more information.
The Tar Heels will start junior right-hander Justin Jones (10-5, 3.77 ERA). Harvey, a first team All-ACC honoree, has dazzled all season long leading the Tar Heels in nearly every statistical pitching category. The Mystic, Conn., native is 1-0 in five career starts in the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Regional Notebook
Tournament History
• The Tar Heels are making their 25th appearance in NCAA Tournament play and their ninth straight, which marks a school record.
• Mike Fox has guided Carolina to the postseason in 11 of his 12 seasons in Chapel Hill and sports a 44-22 (.667) record after four consecutive runs to Omaha. The Tar Heels have reached the regional final in eight of their last nine trips to the postseason and are in search of their sixth Super Regional appearance in the last eight seasons.
• In its 24 appearances, Carolina notches a 79-54 (.594) all-time NCAA record and has made eight trips to the College World Series (1960, 1966, 1978, 1989, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).
•The Tar Heels have placed among the final three teams in Omaha in three of the last four seasons.
Against The Tournament Field
• With a 32-10 NCAA Tournament record over the last four seasons, Carolina has recorded 40 percent of their postseason wins in program history from 2006-09. • UNC built its tournament resume with a tough regular season schedule and posted a 11-15 mark against eleven opponents that reached the 64-team field: Clemson (2-1), Coastal Carolina (0-1), College of Charleston (1-0), Elon (1-1), Florida State (1-2), Georgia Tech (0-3), Miami (0-3), NC State (2-1), St. John's (1-0,) Virginia (0-3) and Virginia Tech (3-0).
• The Tar Heels went 1-12 against fellow No. 1 seeds, 6-1 versus No. 2s and 4-2 against No. 3s.
History Versus Regional Opponents
No. 2 seed California: The Tar Heels most familiar foe in the Norman Regional is California. The Tar Heels have met Cal six times in their history, including three games apiece in 2002 and 2004. Under Mike Fox, UNC is 3-3 versus the Golden Bears. Cal took two of three games from Carolina in 2002 and UNC won two of three in 2004 - all games were played at Boshamer Stadium. Friday's meeting will be the first postseason contest between the two teams.
No. 1 seed Oklahoma: The Tar Heels and Sooners have never met on the diamond, but share one common opponent in 2010 as both teams defeated Richmond earlier this season. UNC last met a Big 12 opponent in the 2009 Chapel Hill Regional when it drubbed Kansas 12-1.
No. 4 seed Oral Roberts: Carolina owns a 1-2 all-time mark against Oral Roberts, but the teams have not met since the 1986 season. The Tar Heels and Golden Eagles first squared off in the College World Series in 1978 as Oral Roberts topped Carolina 11-0. Head coach Mike Fox was a member of that 1978 CWS team. The 12th year skipper is one of the select few who have played for and later coached their alma mater in the CWS.
Tourney Tested
•While Carolina's expected starting line-up for this weekend's NCAA Norman Regional is not as experienced as last year's squad, it still has regulars that all have valuable experience in postseason play.
• Fifth-year senior Mike Cavasinni leads the way with 19 starts, followed by classmate Ryan Graepel's 18 starts. Cavasinni notched a careerbest five hits in the 2006 Super Regional.
• Colin Bates, Matt Harvey and Nate Striz have each made five or more NCAA appearances. Harvey has started five games, compiling a 1-0 record.
Tar Heels Know Nothing But Omaha
• Outside of the freshmen on this year's North Carolina roster, no current Tar Heel has seen a season end outside of Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium.
• Fifth-year senior Mike Cavasinni has been apart of each of the last four trips to the College World Series. Veterans Ryan Graepel, Matt Harvey and Colin Bates have made three straight trips to the CWS and open their search for a fourth consecutive appearance in this weekend's NCAA Norman Regional.
