College World Series: Savery, Owls hammer Heels, 14-4

CUSA Fans sports writer Thomas "Bubba" Rosenbaum brings us a recap of the College World Series match-up of the Rice Owls and North Carolina Tar Heels.

Sunday, June 17

Throughout this year’s NCAA tournament, North Carolina has demonstrated tremendous comeback ability. The Tar Heels have dug themselves hole after hole, but have risen to the challenge every time. Well, that was before they met No. 2 national seed Rice on Sunday night.

UNC (54-14), which fell behind Mississippi State 4-0 on Friday night before rallying for an 8-5 victory, found itself down 6-0 going into the bottom of second against the Owls. The Tar Heels would never get closer than five runs the rest of the way, as Rice cruised to a huge 14-4 victory in a crucial winners’ bracket match-up at the College World Series in Omaha.

Although their pitching staff is one of the best in the nation, the Tar Heels have not received quality starts lately. Robert Woodard didn’t make it out of second inning against MSU on Friday and Alex White could only register four outs in this one. However, UNC’s relievers have done a superb job of stopping the bleeding while allowing the opportunities for the comebacks to occur.

Rice (56-12), which has now won 37 of its last 39 contests, went 1-2-3 in the first. However, they did not go in order again until the eighth.

After getting touched up pretty good in his last couple outings, White got off to a promising start. UNC’s freshman righty demonstrated good control and showed a solid slider—which is critically important for his success.

However, that success was short-lived as the Owls teed off on the Heels’ hurler in the second. After White retired the leadoff batter, Rice registered four consecutive hits to take a 2-0 advantage. Danny Lehmann got things started with a double. He was plated by Joe Savery’s RBI single. Then, Diego Seastrunk doubled down the right field line to put runners on second and third with one down. Jess Buenger delivered a line-drive single up the middle, which scored Savery. White then walked ninth-place hitter J.D. Padron, loading the bases for leadoff man Brian Friday. On a full count pitch, Friday found the right center field gap for a two-run double that extended the lead to 4-0.

Seeking to stay within striking distance, UNC coach Mike Fox wasted no time in turning to his usually reliable reliever Matt Danford. Danford, who has seen a variety of roles out of the bullpen, struggled with his command in this one. He immediately balked in J.P. Padron from third, making the score 5-0 and moving Friday to third. Friday would score on Jared Gayhart’s sacrifice fly and the Tar Heels’ deficit was six after 1 ½ innings of play.

Rice starter Joe Savery, who had not pitched since his outing versus TCU in the sub-regional on June 3 rd, showed some rust at first; however, the southpaw showed tremendous grit by battling out of a couple of jams and improved as the game went along.

UNC was able to push across one run in the second when Garrett Gore doubled home Tim Fedroff, but Savery and the Owls forced the Tar Heels to strand two.

Rice would never relinquish its momentum, as legendary coach Wayne Graham did a tremendous job of managing the game. The longtime Owls’ boss understood the importance of continuing to tack onto the lead, particularly against a team like North Carolina that has shown the ability to score runs in bunches.

The Owls were able to do just that, scoring in each of the next three innings. They put across a single run in the third when J.P. Padron delivered a two-out single to score Diego Seastrunk, who had reached on an error.

The Tar Heels responded with a two-out run of their own. After singling, Josh Horton moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and scored on Chad Flack’s single to center.

Danford’s control problems bit UNC in the fourth, as he started the inning by walking Jared Gayhart and Tyler Henley. The duo would score on a two-run, two-out single by Diego Seastrunk.

Rice extended its lead to 11-2 in the fifth when Jared Gayhart doubled in J.P. Padron and Tyler Henley singled to score Brian Friday.

The Tar Heels did score two after there was two down in the bottom of the inning, as Josh Horton’s triple scored Seth Williams and Horton would score on a wild pitch by Savery.

Meanwhile, Rice would tack on three more runs—one in the seventh on a single by Danny Lehmann and two in the ninth on a monster home run by Aaron Luna to yield the 14-4 final.

Cole St. Clair, who did not appear in the Owls’ victory over Louisville, went the last three innings on the mound for Rice. St. Clair, who surrendered three hits, struck out two and walked one.

With the victory, Rice’s Joe Savery improved to 11-1 on the season. Alex White (6-6) suffered the loss for North Carolina, who used eight pitchers on the night.

Diego Seastrunk led the Owls with his 3-of-5, 2 RBI performance at the plate. Joe Savery, Danny Lehmann and Tyler Henley all had two hits apiece.

Rice will not play again until Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. when they will face the winner of Tuesday’s elimination game between North Carolina and Louisville.

Savery, Owls hammer Heels, 14-4; Rice rests until Wednesday

North Carolina uses record eight pitchers in blowout loss

Sunday, June 17