Virginia vs. North Carolina: Friday, June 14, 2024

VIRGINIA VS. NORTH CAROLINA: SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2024 — For Virginia, the job in their College World Series opener against rival North Carolina is simple: Do not let Vance Honeycutt beat you.

The Cavaliers know all about Honeycutt and West Virginia’s pain in the Super Regionals, having faced the Tar Heel slugger themselves. Virginia won that three-game set with Carolina, but Honeycutt got four hits that weekend and whacked two home runs. UVA ace Evan Blanco likely hasn’t forgotten, because he gave up both of Honeycutt’s blasts in Charlottesville.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Charlottesville Regional

The problem for the Heels is that was all Blanco gave up that night. Honeycutt might have hit two solo bombs, but the rest of the Heels’ lineup could barely scratch Blanco in a 7-2 Virginia win. And unlike most teams in Omaha, Virginia does not have a strong No. 2 option to back up its ace. UVA manager Brian O’Connor essentially has to push all of his chips into the center on Day 1, because he needs two games out of Blanco to reach the championship series.

Carolina is different. The Tar Heels again turn to Jason DeCaro, but they have solid starters behind him. While Virginia attempts to win a crown with Blanco, a bullpen and a bunch of bats, Carolina is far more well-rounded. And that might make the Heels the better pick to win the CWS — even if Virginia makes sense today.

The Odds

First Pitch

When: Friday, June 14 at 2 p.m. EST

Where: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, Neb. 

TV: ESPN

Players to Watch

Honeycutt has received a lot of attention for Carolina, but don’t forget about first baseman Parks Harber. In the one game Carolina won at Virginia, Harber homered and drove in four of the Heels’ 12 runs on the day. He’s second on the Tar Heels with 20 home runs, and he’s likely eager to get another shot at Blanco.

Related: College World Series FAQs

There aren’t many times you can give up 11 runs in three innings and win the game. But Virginia found a way back in April, and Henry Ford’s six-RBI day was a big reason why. Ford tied with Harrison Didawick for the team lead in RBIs with 68, and the two combined to hit 40 home runs on the year. The Cavaliers will need at least one to come through at the dish.

The Prediction

Desperation often makes a difference in a game like this. Virginia has to win this game if it’s going to have any chance to win the CWS. The Cavaliers just do not have the pitching depth to survive losing the first game and battling back with four straight wins.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Chapel Hill Regional

Carolina does have that depth in its arsenal. The Heels know that they can survive one rough day and work their way back through the elimination bracket, especially given their Houdini-like ability to escape. Long Island had Carolina beaten in the ninth inning in their first game, only to have the Heels come up big in the bottom half. West Virginia should have taken the series opener in the Super Regional, but the Heels got to face a tired pitcher in the ninth and came up with the runs they needed.

Blanco should be well rested, and O’Connor isn’t going to make the same mistake other managers have made. He knows what he has and what he has to do to get Virginia past this opening game. The Cavaliers’ bullpen showed it could shut down the Heels in April, and they’ll need a similar performance here. I think they can get it.