Leading up to Wednesday's Bracket 1 finals, the biggest question surrounding the UNC baseball program was who Scott Forbes would elect to start on the mound.
There were quite a few options he could've went with, including bringing Jason DeCaro back on four days rest. However, Forbes is going with one of his regular starters for this one, but it isn't DeCaro or Ryan Lynch.
Folger Boaz to start for UNC in the Bracket 1 finals
Forbes announced to the media that the Tar Heels will turn to Folger Boaz to start Wednesday's contest. It seems like Boaz would've started the game either way, regardless of how this afternoon's elimination game plays out.
Folger Boaz gets the start tomorrow for UNC, per Scott Forbes at his media availability this morning.
— Spencer Haskell (@sdhaskell68) June 16, 2026
Boaz hasn't pitched since May 31, a game in which he threw 3.1 innings against East Carolina. Instead of giving him the ball in a winner-take-all Super Regional battle against USC, Forbes elected to turn to freshman star Caden Glauber, which is why he hasn't pitched since the Chapel Hill Regional.
This seems like a very, very questionable decision.
Of course, UNC isn't in a situation where if they lose they go home. However, do you really want to take the chance of having to play on Thursday, needing to use even more pitching before the College World Series Championship series?
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Without a doubt, Boaz will be on a very short leash, but if the Tar Heels didn't trust him in the Super Regionals, why turn the ball to him now?
For those of us who are doubting the decision, we'll just have to trust Forbes and his staff on this one.
The likely scenario is that Boaz serves as a multi-inning "opener" if all goes well. Sure, the Tar Heels would be thrilled if he could pitch deep into this game, but in all likelihood, the plan isn't going to be to ride Boaz.
What we know is this: the plan is to roll with Folger Boaz and see how it plays out. Hopefully, it works out, because no one wants to have to see the Tar Heels play in an unnecessary game on Thursday.
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