After crushing Arizona in Game 1 of the Super Regionals on Friday afternoon, UNC baseball fans had to feel confident heading into Saturday's potential clinching game.
Not only did the Tar Heels have Jason DeCaro lined up to start, but also had their key arms rested and available. Arizona, on the other hand, had to use quite a bit of arms to get through the first game, putting them in a pickle leading up to the second game.
However, Arizona played like a team fighting for its season (as they were), finding a way to defeat North Carolina in a wild game at Boshamer Stadium.
The start of the game felt similar to the one we saw just 24 hours prior. Arizona took the lead right out of the gate, scoring a run in the first. It didn't take long for the Tar Heels to respond, as a Sam Angelo home run gave North Carolina its first lead of the afternoon.
From there, it became a back-and-forth affair.
While there's plenty of elements to digest from this game, we're going to jump to the top half of the seventh inning. Remember, the Diamond Heels were the away team in this game.
Trailing 6-4, the momentum seemed to switch in the Tar Heels' favor, as Tyson Bass crushed a three-run shot to left to give the guys in Carolina Blue the lead back. Jackson Van De Brake would draw a bases loaded walk to extend the score to 8-6, as North Carolina found itself needing 9 outs to secure a trip to Omaha.
After Aidan Haugh relieved DeCaro in the fourth inning, Scott Forbes wasn't messing around, summoning Walker McDuffie out of the bullpen. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, McDuffie struggled, allowing Arizona to tie the game before ultimately reclaiming the lead for good.
The UNC baseball program had plenty of opportunities but simply couldn't get the job done. From some lackluster plays on the base paths and defensively to leaving 13 runners on base, it just wasn't North Carolina's best day at the ballpark.
Similar to last weekend, the UNC baseball program needs Sunday to be their day, as the season is on the line in a winner-take-all game against the Wildcats. The winner of Sunday's noon contest will book a trip to Omaha while the loser's season will come to an abrupt end.
Hopefully there's some Bosh Magic left over in what will be the final game of the season on the Tar Heels home field.