June 15, 2007

Recap |  Box Score |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery 1  |  Photo Gallery 2 

TEAM NOTES:
• North Carolina's win over Mississippi State was its 54th of the season equaling the school record set in 2006. The Tar Heels have won 22 of their last 26 games, including six of seven in the NCAA Tournament.

• UNC is 15-3 in NCAA action over the last two seasons, including a 5-2 mark at the College World Series.

• Carolina head coach Mike Fox is 26-15 in the NCAA Tournament, and the Tar Heels are now 62-47 in 109 all-time NCAA Tournament games.

• By allowing four runs in the second inning, the Tar Heels fell behind by two or more runs for the sixth consecutive game. Carolina has rallied to win five of those six games.

• Before Mitch Moreland's solo home run in the seventh, Carolina's bullpen had a run of 15 consecutive scoreless innings dating to game two of the South Carolina Super Regional series.

• With the victory over Mississippi State, the Tar Heels have now won five of their last six NCAA Tournament games against the Southeastern Conference. UNC is now 6-1 all-time against the Bulldogs in NCAA play.

PLAYER NOTES:
• Sophomore right-hander Adam Warren came on in the second for his first relief appearance since Feb. 23 and first outing since a start against Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament May 23. He pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings in his longest career relief outing, surpassing a three-inning stint versus Davidson in 2006.

• Warren's win was his 11th this year, which is tied for fifth on the Tar Heels' single-season list. He is currently 11-0, and only Scott Bankhead has finished a year unbeaten with that many victories (11-0 in 1984). Warren lowered his ERA to 1.95 with Friday's outing.

• Reliever Rob Wooten pitched in his seventh straight game and made his 42nd appearance of the season, which ranks second in school history. He gave up a solo home run in the seventh for his first postseason run allowed after 10 1/3 shutout frames to open NCAA play. Wooten has fanned 16 batters in 11 2/3 innings in the tournament.

• Closer Andrew Carignan saved his 16th game in 17 chances for a new career high. His 31 career saves are second at UNC.

• In his 51st start, Robert Woodard lasted just 1 2/3 innings for the shortest start of his career. He allowed four runs on seven hits, including four straight in the second inning.

• With a 3-for-4 effort, Chad Flack extended his CWS hitting streak to five games. He has hit safely in six of the seven games he has played in Omaha and has 23 RBI in 21 career postseason games.

• Freshman first baseman Dustin Ackley's two-run single in the sixth was his 112th hit of the season, which ties Chad Flack's single-season hit record set in 2006. He leads the nation in hits, and his 68 RBI are tied for the eighth most in school history.

• In just his second NCAA Tournament start in 2007, Benji Johnson went 2-for-4 with two RBI. He is 3-for-9 in the postseason.

• Left fielder Reid Fronk scored his 69th run of the season to move into eighth place on the single-season list.

• Shortstop Josh Horton went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and is batting .367 (11-30) in the NCAA Tournament.

• Center fielder Seth Williams went 0-for-3 to snap his 16-game NCAA Tournament hitting streak.