Vance Honeycutt on claiming College World Series berth: 'I'm speechless'

Vance Honeycutt has carried the North Carolina Tar Heels time and time again during his storied career. And he carried UNC yet again in their Super Regional against West Virginia, playing a critical role in both of their wins the past two days. He blasted a solo shot at the very beginning of the game on Saturday evening, pushing UNC to a 1-0 lead to start things off. There were certainly plenty of moments of anxiety in the ninth inning, but the Tar Heels got it done on Saturday, surviving WVU 2-1.

Vance Honeycutt once again delivered for the ‘Heels

Following the massive victory, Honeycutt spoke with ESPN reporters on the field.

How does he feel after UNC punched their tickets to the 2024 College World Series? “I’m speechless. What you dream of. This is why you play. This is why you come to Carolina. What a team. What a team,” Honeycutt explained.

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Honeycutt displayed his versatility and completeness as a player on Saturday evening. He’s been one of the most complete players in college baseball the past few years and fans watching saw the reasons why against the Mountaineers. Not only did he have the solo shot, but he made several spectacular plays in the outfield, and made a pretty nice bunt.

How is he such a complete player? “God blessed with me a lot of ability and some great gifts. I just try to maximize the most…just work really hard and just have fun,” Honeycutt explained.

The Tar Heels continue their magical march in the postseason. How does it feel around the program and the team in these special moments?

“These guys are the same every day. Coach is always preaching the process and you know, I think we’ve bought into it pretty hard. So, you know, it doesn’t really matter the situation in the game. On the mound, who’s at the plate. Everyone’s got all the confidence in the guy next to them. You know, that’s what makes this such a great team,” Honeycutt continued.

What does it feel like that the Tar Heels are headed to Omaha in a few days? “Oh man. Like I said. It’s why you come to Carolina. We had to work really hard to do it. It’s really tough to get there. But we’re going and more to do,” Honeycutt finished.

In punching their tickets to the College World Series, it’s the 12th appearance in school history for the North Carolina program. It also marks their first trip to Omaha in six years. On March 1st, the ‘Heels odds to win the 2024 College World Series were 40-1, according to BetOnline.

Now, UNC is one step closer in their dream of making that a reality. They’ll have some other members of the ACC joining them in Omaha, as the Virginia Cavaliers punched their tickets earlier on Saturday, after they defeated Kansas State 2-0 in their Super Regional.

UVA and UNC will be facing each other in their first game in the College World Series. Florida State is another ACC school that has already punched their tickets to Omaha, and Clemson and NC State still have the potential to join them.