College World Series: Owls return to action against Tar Heels

CUSA Fans sports writer Thomas "Bubba" Rosenbaum previews the College World Series rematch of the Rice Owls and North Carolina Tar Heels.

After defeating the Tar Heels decisively on Sunday, Rice will meet North Carolina again on Wednesday afternoon with a berth in the championship series on the line.

The Owls (56-12), who are 2-0 in the CWS, are in the driver’s seat and can advance with a single win over the Tar Heels. Conversely, UNC (55-14) must defeat Rice on Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday afternoon in order to move on.

With Sunday evening’s 14-4 victory over the Heels, the Owls earned a couple days of rest.

While Rice was resting on Tuesday afternoon, North Carolina was engaged in a pitcher’s duel with Louisville. UNC’s Luke Putkonen went seven strong innings and limited Louisville’s sluggers to only three hits—their fewest since a May 5 th contest against St. John’s.

The gem tossed by the Tar Heels’ tall righty was vital in that it limited the action of a bullpen that has seen a lot of action during the NCAA tournament. How poor have UNC’s starting performances been? The Heels’ pitchers have allowed 32 earned runs on 47 hits in 25 2/3 innings of work in seven of their NCAA tournament games. However, thanks to coach Mike Fox and staff’s decision—part strategy, part necessity—to spread the innings among eight different pitchers, the Heels’ pen is as fresh as they could hope for after three games.

The Tar Heel hurlers will face an Owl line-up that has been clicking on all cylinders in its two CWS games and one they surrendered 14 runs on 15 hits too in their 14-4 loss on Sunday night. After being held scoreless for 25 innings going back to last year’s CWS, Rice has exploded for 29 runs in its last 16 innings.

In Sunday’s contest, every Owl batter in the starting line-up hit safely. Diego Seastrunk recorded a three-hit game and was one of four Owls to drive in two runs in the game. Aaron Luna, Jared Gayhart, and Brian Friday were the others to do so.

North Carolina’s line-up, which from top to bottom is about as good as you will find, has suffered a power outage during the NCAA tournament. While the Tar Heels have swung the sticks well overall, their attack has been missing the long ball. They have only homered once in the tourney and are the only team to have not hit a long ball in Omaha.

The Tar Heels’ offense would also benefit greatly if it received the resurgence of freshman phenom Dustin Ackley. Ackley, who hit over .440 during the regular season, is only 5-of-35 at the plate during the NCAA tournament.

Both teams will likely be sending their Friday night starters to the mound in this one.

Rice’s Ryan Berry (11-2, 3.03 ERA) was roughed up in his start versus Louisville. The Owls’ freshman righty lasted only 2 2/3 innings and allowed five runs (all earned) on seven hits. If Berry doesn’t get the ball, it may be right hander Matt Langwell (8-1, 2.11 ERA). Langwell also got knocked around against UL, as he surrendered four runs (all earned) on five hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief. UNC has only seen Cole St. Clair out of the Rice bullpen. Both St. Clair and Bobby Bramhall have pitched superbly lately and are ready when needed.

North Carolina will most likely go with senior All-American Robert Woodard (10-2, 3.30 ERA). Woodard, who is the winningest pitcher in UNC history, was shelled in his start versus Mississippi State. The Bulldogs didn’t allow him to get out of the second inning, scoring four runs (all earned) on seven hits. Woodard only throws in the mid 80s, and must rely on location and changing of speeds. Another option for coach Mike Fox is right hander Adam Warren. Warren (11-0, 1.95), who was the Tar Heels’ mid-week starter this season, did a fine job of extinguishing the fire against MSU. He worked 4 1/3 shutout innings and allowed only three hits. Despite using eight arms against Rice in Sunday’s game, UNC has the potential to throw three fresh ones against the Owls in this one. In addition to Woodard and Warren, they have also not seen stud closer Andrew Carignan.

With a victory, Rice will advance to the championship series where it would face either defending champion Oregon State or CWS newcomer UC Irvine.

Rice vs. North Carolina Prediction

Don’t expect another 14-4 blowout in this one. With the Tar Heels facing elimination, the Owls will certainly get their best shot. However, with the way Rice is swinging the sticks, expect them to have success against Woodard. On the other side, don’t be surprised if UNC scores four or five off Berry. The difference in this one will be when Rice goes to its bullpen. While the Owls have not seen Carignan, they have “lights out” lefties Bobby Bramhall and Cole St. Clair to throw at the Tar Heels.

Ackley will post his first multi-hit game of the CWS, but UNC will be unable to outlast the Owls’ balanced attack.

Owls return to action against Tar Heels on Wednesday

Rice will face North Carolina at 2pm (EST) on ESPN2

Rice vs. North Carolina Prediction