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UNC Baseball: Zac Gallen joins exclusive Tar Heel company

By Nick Delahanty

Oct 4, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning during game two of the Wildcard series for the 2023 MLB playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning during game two of the Wildcard series for the 2023 MLB playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a win in his MLB postseason debut, former UNC baseball star Zac Gallen joined some rather impressive Tar Heel company.

The Arizona Diamondbacks had the chance to do something on Wednesday night that they hadn’t done in quite some time.

Win a postseason series.

With a 1-0 series lead, the Diamondbacks turned to former UNC baseball star Zac Gallen in hopes of closing the series out. A win would secure the Diamondbacks a postseason series win for the first time since 2007.

Although Gallen had a tremendous season in Arizona, his first postseason start didn’t begin as planned.

It took Gallen 41 pitches to record the first four outs, as the Milwaukee Brewers scored twice in the first inning of play. Fortunately, Gallen settled down, putting together a strong outing en route to a 5-2 victory.

Gallen threw six innings, allowing just the two aforementioned first-inning runs. He struck out six batters, as the final batter he faced went down on strikes, as Gallen, who reached the 100-pitch mark, let out a scream showing how pumped up he was.

Not only was the win big for the Diamondbacks organization, but it was a special one for Gallen. As he now has a postseason victory under his belt, the former Diamond Heel is now one of four Tar Heels to have a postseason win under their name.

Here’s the list of other Tar Heels who have at least one postseason victory.

Andrew Miller- 2016 (ALDS and World Series)
Matt Harvey- 2015 (NLDS and NLCS)
Paul Shuey (1999 ALDS)

The Diamondbacks are now set to face division rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, as Gallen will get another opportunity to pitch in October.

Next. Tar Heels in the Pros: Postseason Edition. dark

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