North Carolina players describe the challenge of staying loose to play

The North Carolina Tar Heels are prepping for their matchup with the Virginia Cavaliers on Friday in the 2024 College World Series. The Tar Heels are in Omaha for the CWS for the first time since 2018. And that’s something that is fresh in their player’s minds. They’re truly enjoying just experiencing the once in a lifetime experience of being at such a special event.

Recently, three of the North Carolina players took some time to speak about how much they’re simply soaking in the moment.

North Carolina stars are soaking up the moment in Omaha

Jason DeCaro has been critical to UNC’s run to Omaha this year. He held West Virginia to just two hits, while striking out five batters in their 2-1 victory over the Mountaineers in the Super Regional. He shared how much this moment means to him.

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“I think just realizing that it’s a privilege that we get to be here and experience all this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Never going to forget this. So just taking it all in and kind of just enjoying it,” pitcher Jason DeCaro explained.

North Carolina’s Parks Harber feels exactly the same. “Same for me. Just super fortunate, super grateful to be here. Really going to enjoy all this and all the media and all the events. Really looking forward to it. But also knowing that we are here to play baseball and to win a national championship. I think it really cool to step out on that field, and it’s a beautiful stadium; but at the end of the day, we want to come home with the trophy. So, staying focused on that goal,” the North Carolina star noted.

“Yeah, soak everything in, soak all the experiences in, and then just tomorrow get right back to it. Wake up and get in your routine and get ready to go play ball,” ACC Defensive Player of the Year Vance Honeycutt said. He’s been one of the best players in North Carolina baseball history and he’ll get his chance to add yet another special piece to his resume in Omaha.

Virginia features an overall record of 46-15 and North Carolina has an overall record of 47-14. The Tar Heels have a pretty talented pitching staff coming in. They currently boast a 4.22 ERA, which ranks them 15th in the nation in that stat category.