If you told any team in the country that their ace wouldn't get out of the fourth inning of a tournament game, they probably wouldn't like their chances to win the game very much.
However, when you're North Carolina, you have plenty of confidence in the elite arms that are available out of the bullpen.
Caden Glauber, the ACC Freshman of the Year, came in relief and held down the fort, guiding the Diamond Heels to a victory over Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
The story of the game
North Carolina jumped out in front with two runs in the second inning, courtesy of an RBI double off the bat of shortstop Jake Schaffner. Unfortunately, the lead didn't hold long, as ace Jason DeCaro allowed back-to-back home runs in the top of the third inning that gave the Hokies their first lead of the game.
Scott Forbes showed faith in his junior ace, sending him back out to start the fourth inning. However, DeCaro just wasn't his dominant self, forcing Forbes to make a change one out into the inning.
That change was none other than Glauber, who once again put on a show on the mound. The freshman right-hander recorded the final 17 outs, allowing only one one during that span.
From there, North Carolina's offense did more than enough to regain the lead and hold it for good.
The Diamond Heels added three runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning, courtesy of Schaffner getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, followed by an Owen Hull RBI single. Gavin Gallaher would add an insurance run with an RBI single in the sixth inning, and the offense exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to separate itself from the Hokies for good.
Even on a day when DeCaro wasn't at his best, the UNC baseball program showed that it can beat you in a variety of ways. Glauber was once again fantastic, showing just how elite a talent he is (and let's remember- he should be a senior in high school!).
The team got the job done on Friday and will now turn its attention to Friday's semifinal game, with a trip to the ACC Tournament title game on the line.
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