No ACC team has hit more home runs in conference games than North Carolina’s 68. Four Tar Heels scored 10 or more home runs in conference games, including junior center fielder Vance HoneycuttWho set the record for the most home runs in school history on May 10.
Even though an injury prevented UNC from retaining a preferred starting pitcher – with senior right-handed pitcher Jake Knapp and freshman left-handed pitcher Folger Boaz Suffering season-ending injuries – his bullpen stepped up whenever asked to keep the team stable and in contention for its first trip to the College World Series since 2018.
Ladies Shoes
After winning the school prize first ever national championship and a fourth consecutive indoor national title in 2023, North Carolina entered this season winning the preseason #1 classification. For the senior class – who took UNC to new heights – 2024 seemed to be a crowning season.
But the encore was in danger of being derailed at the national indoor championships in February.
UNC lost to NC State in the quarterfinals and in the process lost sophomore Reese Brantmeier to a season-ending meniscus tear. Suddenly, UNC looked at first-year Thea, Rabman and Tatum Evansthe latter originally Red shirt the 2024 season, to keep their repeat hopes alive.
The new blood answered the call.
Reilly Sr. Trans he said Rabman “was leading the veteran” with his mentality. Evans came back from a set down to win the match that guaranteed UNC first ACC Championship since 2021.
But Rabman and Evans couldn’t stop No. 4 UNC suffering from a disorder in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals to No. 13 Texas A&M on May 10. The 4-1 loss marked the Tar Heels’ first home loss in six years.
Of their 2023 national championship team, only Brantmeier and juniors Lindsay zinc and Carson Tanguilig they will probably return.
Men’s golf
Holding the #4 in the nation’s rankings, North Carolina is a contender for the NCAA championship. The Tar Heels already gain its first ACC championship since 2006 in April. Now, they are looking to win the program’s first national title.
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A grueling fall season featured trips to Georgia, California and even Scotland twice. But the Tar Heels persevered. Even when junior David Ford got sick with a fever and unable to eat on the team’s first trip out of the country, the golfer done the shot to win the prestigious Walker Cup in North Carolina.
Veteran Peter Fountain struggled in the fall but managed to return to line up just in time to anchor the UNC lineup on the final day of the ACC Championship. There, he sank the game-winning shot to end the Tar Heels’ 18-year ACC title drought.
Now, having advanced beyond the NCAA regional, the Tar Heels are looking to make history.
@DTHSportos | sports@dailytarheel.com
