DELAND — The Stetson Hatters are one victory away from setting the program record for wins in a season (49).
In order for this weekend to be a success, however, the magic number for the Hatters will be two.
“It’s exciting, we’re ready and I know they are, too,” senior catcher Austin Hale said. “But, I think we’ve developed a culture where every game is just another game. We’re so laser-focused on winning a College World Series, that, after winning the ASUN tournament we were already onto the next game. After winning the regional tournament we celebrated after the game and then we were like, alright, let’s go take down UNC.”
The Hatters (48-11) and Tar Heels (41-18) will kick off the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament at 11 a.m. on Friday at North Carolina’s Boshamer Stadium, with the winner moving to within one game of the College World Series, in Omaha, Nebraska.
Game 2 of the best of 3 series will be at noon on Saturday, followed by a Game 3, if necessary, on Sunday.
“We’re just trying to stay level,” said outfielder Jacob Koos. “If we focus on pitching and defense (this weekend), the offense will come.”
Focusing on pitching should be no problem for the Hatters, who lead the country in just about every statistic on the mound.
In last weekend’s regional tournament, Stetson starters Joey Gonzalez, Logan Gilbert and Jack Perkins allowed just three earned runs in 22 innings, while Mitchell Senger and Ben Onyshko were both perfect in relief.
On Monday, Gilbert became just the third player in program history to be drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft (14th overall to Seattle), while Gonzalez, Perkins, Onyshko and closer Brooks Wilson were all also drafted throughout the week.
Head coach Steve Trimper said Gilbert (11-1, 2.52 ERA) will get the start in Friday’s series opener. Perkins will get the ball in Game 2.
“If we get to Game 3, we’ll see if Senger is still standing, or Gonzalez, or Wilson, you never know at that point,” Trimper added.
The Tar Heels are coming off a 19-11 slugfest in Sunday’s regional final win over Houston, and have won 16 in a row at home. This will be North Carolina’s first Super Regional appearance since 2013.
“Great fans, and just a great baseball program,” Trimper said of UNC. “They’re going to be tough. They’re ACC champs for a reason. They’re in a Super Regional for a reason. But, in the same sense, I want our guys to know that we’re in a Super Regional for a reason, too. We belong here.”
The Tar Heels will roll out righty Cooper Criswell on Friday, followed by Gianluca Dalatri in Game 2. Criswell is 5-2 in seven starts this spring, with a 2.89 ERA. The junior struck out 77 in 65.1 innings.
All games between Stetson and UNC will be broadcast on ESPN 2.
“The one thing is, they’re going to capitalize on mistakes,” Trimper added. “If they see our infield playing back, they’re going to bunt. If they see our infield in, they’re going to hit and run. And they’re going to execute both of those things. We have to be on our ‘A’ game going up there.”