North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall rank: #4
Conference rank: #1 ACC
North Carolina Team Page
The North Carolina baseball team achieved rarefied territory last year with a 50-win season and a nearly unstoppable home record (36-3 overall), which earned the Tar Heels a trip to the College World Series. Once in Omaha, things didn’t go the way the Tar Heels wanted as North Carolina lost two of its three games and was eliminated. How North Carolina does in the upcoming season will depend on the performance of the returning Tar Heels hitters and pitchers; there are some losses the team must overcome like any other school.
2011: 51-16, 20-10
2011 Postseason: Lost in College World Series (beat Texas, lost to Vanderbilt twice)
Coach: Mike Fox
Field Players:
Third baseman Colin Moran (see Who to Watch) brings his hot bat back to anchor the lineup, but he is not alone. Shortstop/second baseman Tommy Coyle hit .311 last year with 84 hits, 16 doubles and 18 stolen bases, one of four hitters on the team a year ago to end up with double-digit base stealing. Catcher/first baseman Jacob Stallings (.292-4-43, 18 doubles) also returns, as does outfielder Chaz Frank (.278-0-35, 10 SB). The loss of top hitters like Levi Michael, Jesse Wierzbicki and the aptly-named Ben Bunting means some reserve hitters will have to step in and take charge, Catcher Brian Holberton (.250-1-15) may get to take some more cuts in the lineup, but Fox will likely rely on incoming freshmen to foot the bill.
Pitchers:
Pitcher Kent Emanuel had one heck of a freshman season, going 9-1 with a 2.33 earned run average, 23 walks and 89 strikeouts. Emanuel displayed great control right off the bat, and his presence should help offset the loss of graduate Patrick Johnson. Chris Munnelly (6-5, 4.09) walked 31 and struck out 57. He didn’t quite display the control that Emanuel did, but he’ll get more chances to bring that ERA down and bring those strikeouts up. Relievers Jimmy Smith, Andrew Messer and Shane Taylor all combined to have seasons with strong ERAs, all three coming under the magic 3.00 mark. Pitcher R.C. Orlan (2-0, 3.79) walked 11 and struck out 24. The important thing is two of the three starters return and a plethora of relievers are ready to step in.
Who to Watch:
Moran had a 2011 to remember, clubbing nine homers to go with 71 runs batted in. Keep in mind North Carolina played just 67 games, so to have RBI numbers like that is absolutely phenomenal for a regular season. He also had 83 hits and 20 doubles, contributing to a .540 slugging percentage. He only stole two bases a year ago, but there are other hitters on the team that can steal bases. The most important thing is nine homers out of 39 hit by the team. Moran will be needed to continue the team’s line of success.
Final Projection:
Enough players return so that North Carolina will have a fair shot at postseason play. A return trip to the College World Series might be difficult if enough pitching doesn’t come up to support the Tar Heels. Emanuel and Munnelly will need a third pitcher, possibly even a fourth, to step in and match what Johnson (13-2 last year) did. The same is true for the hitting. Moran, Coyle and Stallings will anchor the lineup, but the absence of other stars could spell trouble down the line.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At bats: Tommy Coyle, SS/2B, 270
Hits: Tommy Coyle, SS/2B, 84
Home Runs: Colin Moran, 3B, 9
RBIs: Colin Moran, 3B, 71
Runs: Tommy Coyle, SS/2B, 57
Stolen Bases: Tommy Coyle, SS/2B, 18
Wins: Kent Emanuel, P, 9
Innings Pitched: Kent Emanuel, P, 104.1
Strikeouts: Kent Emanuel, P, 89
Saves: Cody Penny, P, 5
