Sam Angelo has had quite a journey to reach this point in his college baseball career.
Following an insane career at Division III Montclair State, a place where he put up video game like numbers, Angelo found his way to Chapel Hill for his final season of collegiate eligibility.
Scott Forbes has raved about Angelo's ability to put the bat on the ball ever since he arrived on campus. While his numbers haven't exactly replicated what he did at his former school, Angelo had his signature moment on Saturday night, putting together a performance that he, and fans of the UNC baseball program, won't forget for quite some time.
Serving as the designated hitter, Angelo stepped up to the plate in the midst of a first inning rally. With runners on first and third with two outs, Angelo worked the count to 2-0 against Kyson Witherspoon, a projected top 10 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The next pitch wouldn't stay in the ballpark for long: Angelo took a 2-0 fastball the other way and deposited it over the left field wall, extending the Diamond Heels lead to 6-0.
But wait, there's more!
A few innings later, Angelo struck again. Following a Tyson Bass home run, the Toms River, New Jersey native stepped up to the plate against Witherspoon again. He once again got the better of Oklahoma's star ace, crushing a 97 MPH fastball on a 3-2 count over the wall in centerfield, ending Witherspoon's day on the mound.
If the bat flip didn't give it away, Angelo knew he got all of that one. He wasn't wrong, as his 403-foot blast was clocked at 105 MPH off the bat.
Fans will always remember stellar performances, especially in postseason play. Sam Angelo had his signature Tar Heel moment in an ideal spot, as his two big flies against arguably the best starting pitcher in the county proved to be two major momentum boosts in favor of the guys in Carolina Blue.
Now, North Carolina hopes that Angelo can build on this performance, remaining a steady presence in their lineup throughout the remainder of the postseason.