Danny Serretti explains heartfelt gesture after UNC's loss, reflects on season

Star UNC shortstop Danny Serretti opted to return to Chapel Hill for another year this season, hopefully to make a run in the postseason. The Tar Heels ended up losing on their home field in Super Regionals, getting swept by Arkansas with the College World Series and a trip to Omaha on the line.

Following UNC’s loss in Game 2, an emotional Serretti spoke to the media and revealed a heartfelt gesture that he did as the game came to an end.

Serretti went out to shortstop after the game and put some of the dirt from the field into a cup. When asked about that after the game, Serretti said that he wanted to take part of what became so important to him back home.

“Yeah, I mean my mom likes to have little things like – kind of always giving her little, I don’t know what you want to call it,” Serretti said. “But I don’t know. I figured that she would like that.”

Serretti’s collegiate career began in 2019, and he has spent the past four seasons in Chapel Hill as UNC’s starting shortstop.

“I’ve been there for four years,” said Serretti. “So I figured I’d take some with me.”

Serretti had a memorable season in UNC’s lineup

As a freshman in 2019, Serretti hit .299 with three home runs and 45 RBI. He immediately became a focal point in UNC’s lineup, and he remained that way for the next three years. In 2020, Serretti hit .250 with seven RBI in 19 games, and he then hit .249 with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 2021.

Instead of taking an opportunity in the MLB Draft last summer, Serretti bet on himself and returned to UNC for another season. He hoped to go on a long postseason run, and while the year didn’t end how he wanted it to, Serretti still got at least some of what he was looking for.

“Me and Angel (Zarate) came back for a run like this,” added Serretti. “So I mean it’s been all I can ask for. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but I mean I had so much fun. This bond that I’ve made with all these guys, it’s something that won’t be broken.”

This season, Serretti broke out in a big way with a .365 average, ten home runs and 54 RBI. He also had 17 doubles, three triples, 32 walks and two stolen bases.

Now, Serretti’s time at UNC is likely over, as he should hear his name called at some point in the upcoming MLB Draft. But he will undoubtedly be carrying part of Boshamer Stadium with him forever.