University of North Carolina Athletics
A Look Back At 2010 On The Diamond
June 21, 2010 | Baseball
June 21, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- The 2010 North Carolina baseball season built on the most successful run in program history with a school record ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and their 25th overall NCAA appearance.
The Tar Heels, who were 38-22, posted a 29-9 record in the recently renovated Boshamer Stadium and a total of 53,263 fans enjoyed the state-of-the-art facility for a record average attendance of 1,401. TarHeelBlue.com takes a look back and the news and notes than made 2010 another memorable ride for the Diamond Heels.
POSTSEASON STREAK CONTINUES
Carolina earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament finishing second in the 2010 NCAA Norman Regional, hosted by Oklahoma. UNC, who reached four straight College World Series from 2006-2009, has played in the NCAA Regional final four five straight seasons.
STRONG FINISH HIGHLIGHTS SEASON
Once 2-7 in league play, Carolina won 12 of their last 15 games finishing tied for eighth in the ACC with a 14-16 mark. The Tar Heels won their last 11 games at Boshamer Stadium, capped by a series sweep of No. 12 Virginia Tech in the final week of the regular season.
CONSISTENT RANKING RESUMES
With a 38-22 final record, the Tar Heels were ranked in the top 30 of one of the four major polls. Carolina has been ranked in at least one of the major polls for 136 straight weeks.
SENIORS LEAVE THEIR MARK
Carolina's three-man senior class of Colin Bates, Mike Cavasinni and Ryan Graepel finished their careers with a three consecutive trips to the College World Series. Cavasinni, a fifth year senior, was an instrumental part of Carolina's first of four CWS appearances in 2006.
RECORDS REWRITTEN
Junior Matt Harvey pitched his way into the record books this season finishing ninth all-time in career strikeouts (263) and tenth all-time in career wins (22) in Tar Heel history. Freshman Brian Goodwin tied the single school record for triples with eight in 2010. The triples record has stood since 1949.
STOLEN BASES HIGHEST SINCE 2006
Carolina matched their highest stolen base total since 2006, swiping 91 bases in 2010. Three Tar Heels notched double-digit stolen bases in 2010 led by Levi Michael's 20 stolen bases. Michael, who stole just five bags as a freshman, increased his total by 15 in his sophomore campaign. Senior Mike Cavasinni and freshman Tommy Coyle added 14 swipes this season.
GRAEPEL ENDS CAREER IN STRONG FASHION
Senior shortstop Ryan Graepel notched career-bests in batting average (.329), home runs (7), RBI (53) slugging percentage (.514), on-base percentage (.436) and fielding percentage (.960) in his senior season. Over his last 20 games, the Greenville, N.C., product batted .405 with five home runs and 27 RBI. The senior led Carolina into postseason play batting 50 points higher than he ever has in his career.
MICHAEL SENSATIONAL SOPHOMORE CAMPAIGN
A former freshman All-America, Levi Michael continued to prove he is one of the top young players in the country leading Carolina in nearly every statistical batting category. Michael, who reached base safely in 37 of his last 38 games, led the Tar Heels in batting average (.346), runs (76), home runs (9), total bases (123), slugging percentage (.575), on-base percentage (.480), and stolen bases (20). The Welcome, N.C., native made the adjustment from second to third base while notching a team-best and career-best 16 game hit streak in 2010.
OUTSTANDING DEBUT FOR GOODWIN
Freshman Brian Goodwin quickly showed he is one of the top players in the ACC and the country in 2010. Goodwin, who matched the single season school record for triples that stood since 1949, led Carolina in triples (8), RBI (63) and walks (45). The freshman notched a .291 batting average while belting seven home runs and notching a .511 slugging percentage. Goodwin, who led all outfielders with eight assists from right field, was named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America.
CAVASINNI CAPS STORIED CAREER
Fifth-year senior Mike Cavasinni, the heart and soul of the 2010 Diamond Heels, finished his career with a .287 batting average and 39 stolen bases. The Huntersville, N.C., native matched his hit total (63) from 2006 and strung together two 14 game hit streaks in 2010, both career-bests. The senior anchored the Carolina defense in centerfield erasing extra base hits with his speed in the outfield. A freshman in 2006, Cavasinni notched a career-best .317 batting average. The senior registered a career-best five hits in the Super Regional victory over Alabama helping lead Carolina to their first of an ACC record four trips to Omaha.
BATES FINISHES BRILLIANT CAREER
Colin Bates, one of Carolina's stalwarts out of the bullpen since 2007, finishes his career with a 3.26 ERA, 16-7 record and 185 strikeouts in 182.0 innings. Bates matched his career-best win total with six in 2010 after making the first starts of his career earlier this season. The Naperville, Ill., native graduated May 9, 2010 with a bachelor's degree from the Kenan-Flager Business School. Bates was brilliant in his final game on the mound, tossing two shutout innings while notching five of his six outs via the strikeout.
CONTINUING DRAFT SUCCESS
Tar Heels earned their fifth first round selection in the last five years with the seventh overall pick in Matt Harvey in the 2010 MLB Draft. Harvey was the third pitcher taken in the first-year player draft. Two other Tar Heels also were selected - Nate Striz drafted 660th overall (22nd round) by the Cleveland Indians and Colin Bates 686th overall (23rd round) to the Washington Nationals.
ACC HONORS
Powerful right-hander Matt Harvey earned first-team All-ACC after ranking in the top-five of nearly every league-pitching category. Harvey notched two complete games against ACC opponents, fanning 15 against Clemson April 23.
FOX CONTINUES WINNING WAYS
Carolina head coach Mike Fox entered 2010 with the highest winning percentage (.748) among active coaches and ninth in overall wins. The 12th year skipper now posts a 1, 078- 371-5 (.741) ranking in the top-10 all-time in winning percentage in the history of the NCAA.
