Carolina Baseball Season Review

CHAPEL HILL --- The 2018 North Carolina baseball team returned to the upper echelon of the sport, posting a 44-20 record and earning the programs 11^th trip to the College World Series. After winning its second consecutive ACC Coastal Division championship and earning the No. 1 overall seed in the ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels were rewarded with the No. 6 national seed in the NCAA Championship and swept its opponents in the NCCA regional and super regional to advance to Omaha for the seventh time in the last 13 seasons.

Led by All-American Kyle Datres and fellow All-ACC selections Michael Busch, Brandon Riley and Ike Freeman, Carolina went 28-6 at home and won 18 consecutive home games to re-establish themselves as one of the powerhouse programs on the national stage in Omaha.

Seniors Brett Daniels and Zack Gahagan were recipients of the Francis "Tripp" Bourne Award (most dedicated) while standout Michael Busch received the Walter Rabb Award (most improved) during a breakout campaign where he was named second-team All-ACC. Junior Cooper Criswell was named the most valuable pitcher after going 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA and sophomore Ike Freeman was named most valuable position player during his third-team All-ACC season.

TEAM AWARDS 
S.H. Basnight Award: Most Valuable Position Player – Ike Freeman
S.H. Basnight Award: Most Valuable Pitcher – Cooper Criswell
Walter Rabb Award: Most Improved – Michael Busch
Francis "Tripp" Bourne Award: Most Dedicated – Zack Gahagan and Brett Daniels

TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 
• 44-20 final record, 20th consecutive 30-win season, 15th 40-win season in last 20 years
• ACC Coastal Division Champions
• No. 1 overall ACC Tournament seed
• No. 6 National Seed in NCAA Championship
• NCAA Chapel Hill Regional Host
• NCAA Chapel Hill Regional Winner
• NCAA Chapel Hill Super Regional Host
• NCAA Chapel Hill Super Regional Winner
• 2018 College World Series
• Became the 15^th school in NCAA History to record 100 postseason victories
• Won 18 consecutive home games (streak still active)
• High ranking of No. 3 in Baseball America Poll
• Baseball America Final Ranking: No. 4
• Perfect Game Final Ranking: No. 4
• D1Baseball Final Ranking: No. 5
• Collegiate Baseball Final Ranking: No. 5
• NCBWA Final Ranking: No. 6

INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Michael Busch