North Carolina advanced to the 2024 College World Series on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over West Virginia, sweeping the Mountaineers to move on to Omaha. And there was a special little celebration after the game.
In fact, it interrupted the team’s post-game press conference.
Hilariously, as right-handed pitcher Jason DeCaro was fielding a question from reporters and was mid-answer, music began to trickle into the room from the locker room. What song was on, you might ask?
Well, none other than “Country Roads.”
Players in the locker room could be heard belting out the famous tune, which is now somewhat synonymous with West Virginia athletics. Coach Scott Forbes first started to recognize the tune, immediately donning a wide smile. To his right, outfielder Vance Honeycutt caught wind and also began grinning sheepishly.
It took a few moments, but eventually even left-handed pitcher Dalton Pence joined in on the fun, sharing a look with the two and enjoying the mirth. Somehow, remarkably, DeCaro actually made it through his answer. Check it out below.
Vance Honeycutt helps lead the charge
North Carolina needed every bit of the contributions it got from centerfielder Vance Honeycutt on Saturday in a nail-biting 2-1 win over West Virginia.
Honeycutt led the charge at the plate, recording two hits and scoring both of the runs for the Tar Heels. He hit a solo home run in the first inning to get things started and put North Carolina up early.
After North Carolina worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning, the Tar Heels had earned a berth in Omaha with a chance to win the program’s first national title.
“I’m speechless,” Honeycutt said after the game. “What you dream of. This is why you play. This is why you come to Carolina. What a team. What a team.”
After cruising through the Super Regional, Honeycutt is confident his team can replicate the strong results in Omaha.
“These guys are the same every day. Coach is always preaching the process and you know, I think we’ve bought into it pretty hard,” Honeycutt said. “So, you know, it doesn’t really matter the situation in the game. On the mound, who’s at the plate. Everyone’s got all the confidence in the guy next to them. You know, that’s what makes this such a great team.”
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