The Daily Tar Heel Blogs

5:18 p.m. CT

The official line-ups have been issued and it will indeed be right-hander Jonah Nickerson on the mound for the Beavers.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

4:39 p.m. CT

Today either North Carolina or Oregon State will be crowned national champion for the first time in the history of their respective programs. Neither team has lacked confidence at any point in the series, but UNC will be faced with its first elimination game of the 2006 postseason.

The Tar Heels are loosening up down the rightfield line as OSU finishes up its batting practice session. Again, it will be right-hander and first round draft pick Daniel Bard on the hill for UNC.

As for the Beavers, it would be quite a shock if they don’t go with Jonah Nickerson, who was splendid on just two day’s rest to outlast Rice and vault OSU into the championship series.

Check back for confirmation.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

9:19 p.m. CT

OSU has won the toss and will be the home team in tomorrow’s game.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

9:08 p.m. CT

If OSU holds on to win, there will be a coin flip after the game to determine who will be the home team tomorrow.

Brandon Staton, Sports Editor

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