University of North Carolina Athletics
GoHeels Exclusive: Baseball Notebook
April 30, 2019 | Baseball, Featured Writers
By Pat JamesÂ
In the aftermath of Friday's 12-5 loss against Virginia, there was no mincing words inside the North Carolina baseball team's locker room.
"We all knew that was by far our worst game we've played all season," Ike Freeman said. "We played every part of the game wrong. We knew we could play better, and we went out and did that (Saturday and Sunday)."
By posting 5-4 victories both Saturday and Sunday, the Tar Heels (33-12, 15-9 ACC) rallied to win their third consecutive league series. It also marked the third time this season they suffered a series-opening loss against an ACC opponent and bounced back to win the next two games.
"It just says a lot about our team and their toughness and resiliency," Mike Fox said. "We talk about taking pride in being able to flush things pretty quickly in this game and to let go from pitch to pitch and inning to inning and certainly game to game. It's easier said than done, but I'm just unbelievably proud of them after Friday night and how poorly we played to come back and get two wins against a really good team."
With the series win over the Cavaliers, UNC remains tied with Georgia Tech atop the ACC Coastal Division. Both teams have two ACC series left; Carolina travels to Pittsburgh and hosts NC State, and the Yellow Jackets visit Duke and host Pittsburgh.
A good 'pen
The Tar Heels' relievers played a significant role in the series win over Virginia, allowing just two earned runs across 16 innings. That's only a small sampling of the bullpen's recent success, as UNC relievers have surrendered just 18 earned runs in 59 1/3 innings in the past 13 games. That's good for a 2.73 ERA.
"Our bullpen has been good," Fox said. "It's had to have been good because our starting pitching hasn't been great. So, I'm glad we've got one or the other right now."
Grogan growing 'more comfortable'
The biggest standout on the mound this past week was Andrew Grogan. After starting Tuesday's 6-1 win over Coastal Carolina and earning the win with 7 2/3 strong innings, he allowed two unearned runs over 4 1/3 innings of three-hit relief on Sunday.
Grogan, a junior college transfer, struggled some with his command early in the season. But in his last five games, he's surrendered four earned runs over 18 2/3 innings, good for a 1.93 ERA.
"My first couple of outings, I was kind of nervous, not necessarily because the teams were better but just being at this school," Grogan said. "Being at a new school, you just get a little amped up. But it's definitely starting to feel better and more comfortable."
That's evident, Fox said.
"The last two times from him, that's what we saw in the fall almost every time he went out there," Fox said. "Sinker slider, tough to square up, beat the ball in the ground. We were a little worried about him facing lefties, but we talked about him burying that slider down there, and Virginia was kind of beating some balls into the ground on the pull side.
"He had plus command in the fall, and I think it just took him a while to get going and just learn how to pitch in this league. … He's not a hard thrower, so sometimes he's got to back off on the velo, so the ball will sink, and use that good slider. It's a great credit to him that he's pitching well this time of year."
Serretti's surge
At the plate, no Carolina hitter has been hotter than Danny Serretti, who boasts a .385/.414/.631 slash line and 1.045 OPS over the last 15 games. In that span, he's raised his batting average 52 points to a team-best .316.
"He's probably the purest switch-hitter I've been fortunate enough to coach, where you don't have any qualms about who they bring in," Fox said. "I feel like he's just as confident and competent from one side or the other, and he's got power from both sides of the plate.Â
"He looks at the ball good, he doesn't get flustered, he doesn't let too many things bother him. Most at-bats, he usually gets off a good swing; that's half the battle is just getting off a good swing and going from there. And he can move the ball with two strikes, too."
