Keeping It Heel
Fansided

Scott Forbes discusses UNC's pitching heading into Game 3 of the Super Regional

In a winner-take-all game, North Carolina will have all hands on deck.
ByNick Delahanty|
Jun 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Head Coach Scott Forbes and Arizona Head Coach Chip Hale meet before the first inning of the Super Regionals game in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Jun 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Head Coach Scott Forbes and Arizona Head Coach Chip Hale meet before the first inning of the Super Regionals game in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

The UNC baseball program couldn't capture a victory in Game 2 of the Super Regional, setting themselves up for yet another winner-take-all game, this time against Arizona on Sunday afternoon.

Last weekend, the freshman duo of Ryan Lynch and Walker McDuffie handled business on the mound. While that was likely the Tar Heels' initial plan for a potential Game 3 against the Wildcats, that thought had to change after McDuffie threw nearly 40 pitches in less than an inning on Saturday.

Shortly after the loss, head coach Scott Forbes discussed his team's pitching situation heading into Sunday's contest. Given Lynch wasn't used in either game thus far, it was evident that he would be on the bump to start Game 3, but the rest of the team's pitching was in question.

Forbes noted that "everyone will be available," essentially saying what we all expected: all hands on deck to save the Tar Heels season.

Obviously, the hope is that Lynch can provide some length (5-6 innings would be ideal). At some point, North Carolina will need to turn to the bullpen, they just hope it isn't earlier than anticipated.

So when Forbes says, "everyone will be available," who does that include? Well, You'd have to imagine that McDuffie will be available, although it remains to be seen how much they'll push their freshman stud given he'd be working on back-to-back days.

While the rest of the bullpen is in pretty good shape, you could see Forbes turn to some of his starters for relief action. Jake Knapp was ready to come into the game a week ago if needed, and you should expect that the Tar Heels ace will lay it on the line for his team. Although they both threw 60+ pitches on Saturday, it's possible that Jason DeCaro and Aidan Haugh might be called upon as well.

Let's face it: if you lose, you can rest all offseason. If those guys are the best options out of the bullpen, Forbes won't hesitate to go to them.

Both sides will have interesting decisions to make, as the game will certainly dictate those crucial moves. While you can think about situations and strategize as much as you want, the reality is- neither side will have any idea until the game is officially underway.

Let's see which side's pitching gets the job done.

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