When it comes to North Carolina, NC State and Duke, UNC head coach Scott Forbes believes all three teams could host an NCAA Regional.
The Tar Heels and Blue Devils began their three-game series Friday to end the regular season. Duke came out on top 5-3 to improve to 35-16, dropping UNC to 39-12.
While the series is expected to be hotly contested, Forbes knows it could be a preview of dominance from someone in a postseason regional.
“We could, we’re all good enough,” Forbes said. “First of all, obviously, it’s clear. Everybody’s good at home and you gotta match it. Yeah, all of us could, that’s for sure. No doubt about it, all really good teams.”
Forbes alluded to how good Duke could be at home, like NC State. Heck, the Blue Devils ended North Carolina’s six-game winning streak.
“I thought Duke played really well,” Forbes said. “When you walk one and punch out 14, you usually win that game, at least we do, when we’re pitching like and making plays. And we didn’t make some plays that we normally make. We didn’t strike them as much and we walked them more. We’re right there. We came back and shows what type of team we have.
“The guys were battling. Sometimes you don’t play great and you’re still in the game and that was the case tonight. We didn’t come out on top. Gotta give Duke credit, they got it done, we didn’t.”
Kyle Johnson took the mound for Duke, throwing six innings of three-hit ball, struck out eight and gave up three earned runs. He had a no hitter going into the sixth, which Forbes and crew had no answer for.
“In games like this, you have to make plays, especially when they are pitching it like that,” Forbes said. “You have to grab every out that you can. We made some really good plays; they just made a few more than we did …
“[Johnson] was as good as anyone we’ve faced all year. Throwing the breaking ball to lefties, throwing the change up to righties, working at a really good pace.”
There are two more games in the series Saturday and Sunday. Both could be pivotal for NCAA Regional hosting.
Whoever comes out on top to host, or it could be all three, you better hope you don’t face Forbes and UNC or the others on their home turf.
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