Advantage: UNC
The Heels continued their hot hitting and nearly got a complete game from Alex White to throttle the Pirates 10-1. UNC is now one win from a fourth straight trip to the College World Series. This game marked the third straight UNC has put up 10 or more runs but the bigger story in this game might be the performance of White and the flexibility that gives coach Mike Fox with his pitching staff. White got the first out in the ninth after surrendering a leadoff single then gave way to Nate Striz who promptly struckout the next two Pirates. Now UNC has the advantage of (1) sending Adam Warren out to start on Sunday and (2) a well rested bullpen if needed.
That being said the UNC offense will face a tough test on Sunday with ECU sending out Kevin Brandt who pitched 8.1 shutout innings against UNC on April 22nd in the Pirates' 4-0 win. The upside is the Heels have multiple players hitting the ball well, not just Dustin Ackley who was really the quietest of the bunch today only going 1-4 with an RBI. Fully expect Ackley to go nuts on Sunday.
Game 2 begins at noon and will be televised on ESPN.