The Daily Tar Heel Blogs

8:38 p.m. CT

Freshman catcher Tim Federowicz, know as “Fed Ex” to his teammates, just delivered a 2-run, 2-out home run to pull the Tar Heels within four in the seventh.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

8:30 p.m. CT

While the Tar Heels have yet to be charged with an error, the team’s biggest flaw has surfaced — defense. After a failure to communicate on a bunt down the third base line, third baseman Reid Fronk made a high through on an ensuing ground ball, costing UNC what looked like a sure double play.

Then, when the next batter singled through the right side, it appeared that rightfielder Seth Williams’ throw would be in time to get the runner at third, but again there was no communication and the ball was cut off instead.

A pitching change did little to help. The first batter that Adam Warren, who relieved Danford, faced reached on a sacrifice bunt that was misplayed by first baseman Chad Flack.

Then, with runners on second and third and a 1-2 count, catcher Tim Federowicz couldn’t hang on to a foul tip that would have ended the inning. Two pitches later a pitch went through his legs, allowing OSU’s 11th run to score and the batter, Chris Kunda, was eventually walked.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

7:35 p.m. CT

After allowing a 2-run double with no one out, Head Coach Mike Fox made the decision to bring in Danford out of the pen. Fox isn’t usually so quick to make such a move, but there usually isn’t this much riding on the line.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

7:32 p.m. CT

Woodard has allowed the bases loaded with no outs and the Tar Heels now have action in the bullpen in the fourth inning. Right-handers Matt Danford and Luke Putkonen have begun to toss down the rightfield line.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

7:17 p.m. CT

After Reid Fronk’s two-out, RBI single to centerfield, eight of the Tar Heels’ nine runs in the championship series have come with two outs.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

6:28 p.m. CT

Through the first inning, Tar Heel fans should have a pretty good feeling. Not only did starter Robert Woodard work out of a two-on, none out jam, he started four of the five hitters he faced off with a strike.

When you throw strikes early in the count, you’ll give up some hits. But as Woodard showed, you’ll keep yourself out of trouble too.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

6:04 p.m. CT

The blue-clad just rose from their prayer huddle in right field, came together with their arms collectively held high, and trotted back to the dugout for the starting line-ups. The first pitch is slated for 6:08 p.m. CT.

One change in the line-up is that left-handed hitter Matt Spencer will be in the DH roll, replacing Benji Johnson who has struggled at the plate recently. I assume that this is also a percentage move, as OSU starting pitcher Mike Stutes is a right-hander.

After a hair-raising national anthem, the managers are exhanging line-ups at the plate, the grounds crew is finishing watering of the dirt and the seats are steadily filling.

Game time is just minutes away.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

5:20 p.m. CT

The North Carolina baseball team is amid pregame batting practice, with what looks like an extra spring the its step. It’s another beautiful day at Rosenblatt Stadium with game time temperatures expected to be in the mid- to upper-70s and no rain in sight.

Winds are again blowing in from leftfield and are expected to gust from the North at 20-30 mph at times later this evening. That should help Tar Heels’ starting pitcher Robert Woodard keep the Beavers in the yard.

I look for OSU to try to manufacture runs any way they can after Woodard’s splendid performance against Clemson.

The Beavers will start right-hander Mike Stutes. In his last start, Stutes allowed just one run, earned, on four hits through 6.1 innings and struck out three in an 8-1 win against Miami.

He is 2-0 in two starts this post season with a 3.00 earned run average

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

9:58 p.m. CT

Barry Williams, perhaps better known as Greg Brady, has graced all in attendance with his presence.

And just after the jumbo-tron notified the fans that Williams, who was wearing an OSU sweatshirt, was here, UNC first baseman Chad Flack ripped his fourth triple of the season and fifth consecutive hit down the rightfield line and later scored on a passed ball, narrowly beating the tag at home and giving the Tar Heels a 4-3 lead. That shifted the big screen spotlight on another Williams in attendance, UNC basketball coach Roy Williams.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

8:55 p.m. CT

After an hour and 11 minute rain delay, play has resumed at Rosenblatt Stadium. Right-hander Matt Danford is now pitching for Andrew Miller with no one on and none out.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor