Fisch Tank: Super Regional What If’

Time for me to play Monday morning manager, as I take a look back at the Cary Super Regional between Coastal Carolina and North Carolina.
To be brutally honest, the Chanticleers were overmatched from the mound to the plate. Game one opposed Alex White and Bobby Gagg on the mound. The Tar Heels pitcher White is a top ten draft pick next year, Gagg was passed over in the draft this year. The 3,4,5 hitters for CCU went 5 of 25 with 3 RBI, while the Tar Heels big guns went 8 -27 for 8 RBI. If you’re not picking up what I am putting down, I’ll explain. Coastal’s power positions are not even in the ballpark with those of the Tar Heels. Sorry Coastal fans I’m just being honest.
Now let’s take a look at how things could have been different. Coastal could be playing tonight for a trip to the College World Series if, Tyler Bortnick and Rico Noel didn’t combine for six errors in game one. If Adam Rice would have hit a double in game one to tie the contest at three and if Scott Woodward would have held on to the ball in game two on the snap tag on North Carolina’s double steal. You make one of those things happen or not happen and game three is a reality. They were all pivotal momentum swingers that all resulted in Tar Heel advantages.
Chants Head Coach Gary Gilmore kept saying all weekend, “no one expects us to win.” I say who cares, I know you don’t have the horses in the stable, but don’t tell your team that. It appeared to me Coach Gilmore was atypical throughout the series, proud to be there, but wasn’t the real “Gilly.” I didn’t see him rip his team like has been known to do.
I agree with him on the fact, “You can’t take anything away form North Carolina, they’re a good baseball team,” said Gilmore. That they are, with the best pitching staff in the nation, shutting down a Chants offense that generated 37 runs in their previous two games. UNC constricted Coastal’s bats a meager eight runs.
Coastal’s team benefited from playing in the band box that is Watson Stadium all season long. Yet the USA Baseball Complex Field was a monstrous opposite, a cavernous 330 feet down the lines and 390 feet in the power alleys. North Carolina had the defensive shift on all weekend, in fact the gap in left center was so large at times, it could have hosted David Bennett’s bunch for their own game.
All in all, I enjoyed covering Coastal Carolina’s historic run, I just wish it wasn’t a one sided affair. Ultimately I am extremely disappointed to see the Palmetto State college baseball season come to an end. I enjoy the ping of the bat and the comorodiry on the field and in the stands. So I just want to take this chance to congratulate Coastal Carolina on a great season, and good luck to their graduates and future pro players.

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