North Carolina and Tennessee are both looking to stay undefeated in Omaha as they square off on Sunday night after both winning their first matchups of the College World Series.
There was a stalemate through the first three innings of the games as flawless pitching and impressive defensive plays defined the start of the game. Leading to North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes being asked about the pitcher performance that he saw from his starter for Sunday Shea Sprague during the top of the fourth inning.
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“He’s in complete control so far, knock on wood,” Forbes said. “Three pitches for strikes, he’s got the changeup going, he’s got a good fastball too, it’s up to 90-91 (miles per hour). He’s so competitive, so it was awesome to watch him out there.”
Forbes unfortunately must not have knocked on wood, as Tennessee would strike first with right fielder Kavares Tears blasting a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Vols the first lead of the ball game. With Sprague not giving up a single hit or run through the first three innings of the game before giving up two hits and three runs in the fourth.
Meanwhile for Tennessee pitcher Drew Beam has been absolutely dealing on the mound. Giving Tar Heels hitters problems with seven strikeouts, one hit allowed, and zero runs allowed through five innings.
“I mean, he’s just not throwing balls. He looks like he’s in complete control as well,” Forbes said about Beam. “So you just gotta hang in there, make plays defensively, get a guy on base, and try to hit a ball in the gap right there. I thought with that 3-2 count we had a good chance. (Parks) Harber was moving, he made a good pitch to Tony (Anthony Donofrio).”
North Carolina enters the bottom of the fifth inning down 3-0 to the Volunteers, but there’s no question that the Tar Heels have to feel good as long as they can keep themselves in striking distance. Winning three of their last four games by one run with one game going to extra innings and two ending in walk-off fashion.
But keeping things close with the Volunteers is easier said than done, as the No. 1 team in the nation has also boasted one of the best offenses that leads college baseball in home runs and runs this season.
The post Scott Forbes gives early reactions in College World Series matchup vs. Tennessee appeared first on On3.