UNC Baseball season ends with heartbreaking loss

After an exciting rally to take the lead in the ninth inning, the UNC baseball program couldn’t finish the game as their season comes to an end.

Sunday afternoon was an absolute rollercoaster for the UNC baseball program.

With their backs against the wall, the Diamond Heels needed to capture a victory against Arkansas to force a decisive Game 3 of the Super Regional.

Buckle up, because the following events that we discussed will probably put you in disbelief.

Before the game even started, the Tar Heels found out that they would be without sophomore third baseman Mac Horvath. The Rochester, Minnesota native had an emergency appendectomy surgery procedure last night, according to a UNC baseball official statement.

Losing Horvath’s presence was a tough blow for the Tar Heels, but there was still baseball yet to be played.

With a 1:00 PM EST first pitch, North Carolina got off to a very slow offensive start. Other than Alberto Osuna, who had two hits in his first two at-bats, the Tar Heels essentially were silent otherwise, as for the second straight day they went scoreless through six innings of play.

To add to it, there were two “Rain Delays,” both of which stemmed from lightning in the area. Both delays were rather long in length, which made both managers have to decide whether or not to resume using their current pitchers.

Fast-forwarding to the top of the seventh (yes, North Carolina was the “away” team for this one, even though the game was at Boshamer Stadium), the Tar Heels finally were able to capitalize offensively.

Pinch-hitting for Hunter Stokley, Eric Grintz came through with an RBI single to get the Tar Heels on the board. Shortly after, Tomas Frick scored on a wild pitch to tie the game up at two apiece.

The second rain delay came in the top of the eighth, as neither squad was able to capitalize in the frame once play resumed. Thanks to a web gem double play from shortstop Danny Serretti, the Razorbacks were held scoreless in the eighth.

However, the ninth inning was full of emotions, ones that did not end in North Carolina’s favor.

Frick led off the top of the ninth with a double to left field. After two consecutive outs, Patrick Alvarez, a sophomore who has been used in a reserve role due to defensive reasons, came up in the clutch, as he drove an RBI single to center field to give the Tar Heels their first lead of the game.

With closer Davis Palermo already on the mound, the Tar Heels had to feel good about their chances to close out the game. However, the Razorbacks rallied, ultimately ending the game on a walk-off RBI single off Caden O’Brien, who was just inserted into the game.

It will go down as a simply heartbreaking loss to end a very good season for the Diamond Heels. In April, this group looked as if they were already out of contention, but they turned things around, earning the ACC Tournament championship as well as a trip to the Super Regionals.

This one definitely stings, as their tremendous run, unfortunately, comes to an end. However, it was certainly fun to watch this team over the last couple of months, as they became one of the best teams in the entire country over such a short period of time.

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