WATCH: North Carolina robs Georgia of game-tying home run
Georgia was down to their last three outs of the season, needing a comeback to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament. Down a run in the bottom of the ninth, the Bulldogs needed at least one run to tie things up against North Carolina and for a few seconds, it seemed to be a reality.
Joshua McAllister had a 2-2 count with one out in the inning. He made great contact with a fastball, sending it deep into center field. In what seemed to be a game-tying home run, North Carolina center fielder Vance Honeycutt robbed McAllister of his special moment.
Everybody in Chapel Hill was in disbelief, including pitcher Connor Bovair. You can watch the full moment here.
One out later, the Tar Heels were able to secure the victory and move into their next elimination game. Georgia had already put three runs across the plate in the ninth inning, giving North Carolina a bit of a scare. Nonetheless, the home team is moving on and will have the chance to advance to the Super Regional.
Next up will be VCU, where UNC will have to win two games. The Rams already have a head-to-head win in the Chapel Hill Regional, getting a 4-3 victory on Saturday night.
North Carolina AD criticizes NCAA Scott Forbes over suspension
North Carolina baseball fans are up in arms over coach Scott Forbes’ suspension from the next two games of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The head of the Tar Heels baseball club blew a gasket at the umpire crew in the third inning of Saturday’s loss to VCU when they allowed what Forbes though was a dropped infield fly to remain in play, which VCU then turned into a double play.
Forbes stormed out of the dugout following the play and let the officials have it. He was quickly thrown out and had to wait in the locker room for the rest of the night as his team eventually fell to the Rams by one run, 4-3.
Forbes has North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham on his side, though. Cunningham tweeted his disappointment in the NCAA over Forbes’ suspension. “It is incredibly disappointing to have the NCAA confirm a two game suspension for our head baseball coach – yet have no explanation for the call that ultimately led to the suspension,” Cunningham wrote. Adding, “we must do better for our student athletes and teams.”