UNC Baseball: A much needed clutch moment for freshman Luke Stevenson

The Chapel Hill Regional wasn't friendly to freshman Luke Stevenson.

Stevenson, who has served as the starting catcher for the UNC baseball program all season long, fell into a slump at the plate, recording just two hits over 13 at-bats. In fact, he was even pinch-hit for in the winner-take-all matchup against LSU, as it felt as if his confidence was not where it normally is.

Well, if Stevenson needed a confidence boost, he certainly got one on Friday night, as he delivered a clutch game-tying home run, a blast that eventually helped the UNC baseball program secure a walk-off victory against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Baseball is certainly a game of failure, as even the sport's elite talents fail seven out of 10 times. For a guy like Stevenson, he is certainly trying to help put his team in a position to succeed, but you can sense he was pressing a bit at the plate.

Remember: this kid is a freshman!

Regardless of him being a freshman, Stevenson is a super-talented backstop, as he's put up offensive numbers that we haven't seen from a Diamond Heels' catcher in quite some time. According to Pat James, Stevenson's home run, No. 14 on the year, tied him with Benji Johnson for the most home runs hit by a Tar Heels catcher in a single season since 2006.

Stevenson has been a tremendous addition to the UNC baseball program this season, as he's nicely filled the void left by Tomas Frick's departure to the pros. Scott Forbes and the Diamond Heels are hopeful that this one swing can help turn his postseason around, as this couldn't have been a more timely home run not only for the UNC baseball program but for Stevenson individually as he battles to break out offensively.

Watch out: this might be the start of a potential hot streak for Luke Stevenson at the plate!