Keeping It Heel
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Jake Knapp tosses a gem, leads UNC baseball to victory in NCAA Tournament opener

The veteran right-hander emptied the tank to toss a gem en route to a victory over Holy Cross.
ByNick Delahanty|
Jun 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The North Carolina Tar Heels and West Virginia Mountaineers stand for the playing of the national anthem prior to the DI Baseball Super Regional at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-Imagn Images
Jun 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The North Carolina Tar Heels and West Virginia Mountaineers stand for the playing of the national anthem prior to the DI Baseball Super Regional at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Camarati-Imagn Images

Jake Knapp= GAMER!

The veteran right-hander continued his incredible season by pitching into the ninth inning, leading the UNC baseball program to an NCAA Tournament opening victory over Holy Cross.

Early on, Holy Cross was able to get Knapp's pitch count elevated. Through one inning of work, the right-hander utilized 23 pitches, making it look like his day might not last very deep into this game.

However, Knapp showed off the efficiency he possessed all season long, needing just 21 pitches to retire the next 9 hitters he faced.

Every time Holy Cross threatened, Knapp had a response. The biggest threat came in the sixth inning, as the Crusaders loaded the bases with only one out.

Knapp didn't back down, forcing a flyout to short center field, followed by a huge strikeout to leave the runners stranded on base.

Overall, Knapp pitched 8 1/3 innings, allowing only four hits and three walks while striking out seven, throwing a career-high 119 pitches (83 strikes). Walker McDuffie was called upon to record the final two outs of the ballgame.

Offensively, North Carolina did all its damage in a span of two innings. After starting the game going 0 for 9 with a pair of walks, Gavin Gallaher got the offense going with a leadoff triple off the left center field wall to kick off the bottom of the fourth inning. Hunter Stokley would follow by stroking an RBI single to left, opening up the score in the Chapel Hill Regional.

North Carolina was far from done in the frame. An RBI double by Tyson Bass, followed by a Sam Angelo RBI single, capped off a three-run inning for the home team. Gallaher would strike again an inning later, driving in Jackson Van De Brake on an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-0.

That's all the Tar Heels pitching staff would need!

Now, the Diamond Heels await the winner of the second game of the Chapel Hill Regional. They will take on the winner of that game, featuring Oklahoma and Nebraska on Saturday night at Boshamer Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST.

The road to Omaha got off to a tremendous start for the UNC baseball program.

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