Tag: Vance Honeycutt

UNC baseball team posts tribute video for memorable 2024 season

There were too many exciting moments for the UNC baseball team this year. The Diamond Heels compiled them into a shortened video on Monday.

Even though it fell short of a College World Series crown yet again, there’s no doubt the North Carolina Tar Heels made their impact in the 2024 college baseball season.

UNC finished as one of the ACC’s five 40-win teams, taking the ACC Coastal Division crown by finishing four games ahead of Virginia. North Carolina won its opening ACC Baseball Championship game against Pitt, before a loss against Wake Forest knocked it out.

The real fireworks began in the NCAA Tournament, though. The Diamond Heels trailed 4-seed Long Island University in the Chapel Hill Regional’s opening game, only for Gavin Gallaher to blast a walk-off grand slam.

Trailing by a run entering the ninth inning of the Chapel Hill Regional Final against reigning CWS champion LSU, UNC came back and won 4-3. Colby Wilkerson delivered the tying single, then Alex Madera the go-ahead base knock.

It wouldn’t be postseason heroics without superstar Vance Honeycutt, who smashed a walk-off home run against West Virginia, in Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional. This wouldn’t be Honeycutt’s only walk-off, as he later ended North Carolina’s CWS debut with a walk-off single.

With all the memorable moments in UNC’s season, including a 37-3 mark at Boshamer Stadium, it was only appropriate for the team to deliver a video tribute.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KxgHDgZw7/

The Diamond Heels felt like they were destined for a CWS title, but a lack of offense in Omaha contributed to their downfall. Pitching injuries also didn’t help, with projected starter Jake Knapp and initial Friday starter Folger Boaz out for the year, forcing a taxed bullpen at times.

I have no doubt that with minimal losses, outside of Honeycutt, Madera and Alberto Osuna, North Carolina will be amongst the 2025 CWS favorites.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Latest MLB mock draft has Vance Honeycutt finally going to West Coast

The San Francisco Giants land Vance Honeycutt in a 2024 MLB mock draft.

Vance Honeycutt was selected by the San Francisco Giants back in the 2021 MLB draft but opted to join the North Carolina Tar Heels out of high school and improve his stock.

And he did just that.

The former 20th-round pick of the Giants improved his game and became one of the best outfielders in baseball for the Tar Heels over the past three years and should hear his name called early in July. The Giants are in position to draft Honeycutt again and Gabe Lacques of the USA Today has that happening in his latest mock draft.

Lacques mocked Honeycutt to the Giants at No. 13 overall:

A Giants draftee (20th round, 2021), Honeycutt instead became a Tar Heel walk-off king, lifting them to the College World Series while slugging 28 home runs and 65 in three years. The Giants will spend a much higher pick on him this time.

It would be interesting to see Honeycutt land with the team that originally drafted him and it could be a good fit as well. Honeycutt could provide a boost to the team’s minor league farm system especially with his plus defense.

He’s the only North Carolina player to be mocked in the first round of the draft.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Vance Honeycutt earns spot on College World Series All-Tournament team

Vance Honeycutt’s UNC baseball career ends with honors from the College World Series.

Vance Honeycutt is capping off his North Carolina baseball career with some honors.

In addition to earning another All-American honor from D1Baseball, Honeycutt was also named to the College World Series All-Tournament team.

The award was announced on Tuesday, a day after the Tennessee Volunteers beat Texas A&M in game three. Honeycutt was North Carolina’s best player in Omaha and was a key cog in the Tar Heels getting to Omaha by winning the Chapel Hill Regional and then Super Regional.

He was one of four Atlantic Coast Conference players to earn a spot on the team as he joined NC State’s Alec Makarewicz, Florida State’s Jaxson West, and Jaime Ferrer.

While UNC went 1-2 in Omaha, Honeycutt performed well. He had five hits, five RBI’s, and two home runs including a walk-off hit against Virginia in the first game. His defense also stood out, which was a something we saw all year as he won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.

Honeycutt will likely hear his name called in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft in July.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Vance Honeycutt, Dalton Pence earn All-America honors

Vance Honeycutt and Dalton Pence have earned All-American honors for their 2024 seasons.

It was a successful season for the North Carolina Tar Heels’ baseball program, making it to Omaha and finishing as one of the best eight teams.

North Carolina was able to win a Game 7 against LSU in the Chapel Hill Regional and then sweep West Virginia in the Super Regional to punch their ticket to Omaha. While they went 1-2 during their time in the College World Series, it was a fun ride for Scott Forbes and his team.

Now, following the season a pair of Tar Heels are earning some more national honors.

On Wednesday, outfielder Vance Honeycutt was named to the D1Baseball.com‘s First Team All-American team. It’s the fifth All-America team honors for Honeycutt this offseason as well as winning the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.

Honeycutt hit.318 while setting school records for home runs (28) and runs (88) in 2024.

For Pence, he was named to the second team All-America by the publication on Wednesday. This is the third All-American honors for Pence in the offseason after a 5-1 campaign in which he posted a 2.45 ERA. Pence was North Carolina’s best reliever and a big reason why the team advanced to Omaha.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC baseball outfielder Vance Honeycutt earns Gold Glove honors

Vance Honeycutt took home a big award to cap off his career with the UNC baseball program.

North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt will likely be a top 20 pick in the upcoming MLB First-Year Player Draft later in July. With his career at UNC over in a disappointing fashion by losing in Omaha, he will focus on the future of his baseball career.

But not before picking up some hardware.

On Wednesday, Honeycutt was named the ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner at outfield. He became the first UNC player to earn the award since its inception in 2007.

Honeycutt deserved the award after being one of the top defensive outfielders in all of college baseball this year. Over his career, Honeycutt developed into a good outfielder not only at the plate but in the field, helping UNC reach Omaha once and win the ACC regular season title once as well.

After getting hurt and missing the postseason last year, Honeycutt returned to form in 2024. Not only did he help lead UNC to the regular season ACC title and a host of a regional and super regional, but he was also the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Scott Forbes thanks the UNC fans in College World Series crowd

Friday’s College World Series crowd caught the attention of UNC head baseball coach Scott Forbes.

Before the College World Series even started, we wondered how many UNC baseball fans would make the trip to Omaha.

Given the amount of fans who lined the Boshamer Stadium concourse for North Carolina’s send-off this past week, I liked the chances of Charles Schwab Stadium having a lot of Carolina Blue.

Those Diamond Heel fans who made the trip were treated to quite the show on Friday, June 14, as Vance Honeycutt blasted a walk-off single and delivered UNC a clutch, 3-2 victory over ACC rival Virginia.

North Carolina  – once again – trailed in the late innings. They tied Friday’s game at two on a seventh-inning Casey Cook single, then walked it off on Honeycutt’s ninth-inning single.

As you can imagine, the Tar Heel Faithful loved Friday’s result. The stands weren’t entirely packed, as the Diamond Heels and Cavaliers played in the early (2 p.m. ET) game, but just packed (and loud) enough to catch the attention of UNC head coach Scott Forbes.

“I was really excited for our players,” Forbes said in postgame interviews. “When I looked up there and saw all of our fans that have traveled. Our chancellor is out here, some of our biggest alumni, some of the former players, a ton of former players, our athletic director. Coach (Mike) Fox was here, which obviously was really special to me. People that have really given a ton to our program got out here to support these guys.”

I have no doubt the Sunday night crowd will be just as large – if not larger – when North Carolina takes on top overall seed Tennessee at 7 p.m. ET.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

College World Series makes tournament history on Day One

Two walk-off singles on Day One of the College World Series provided a pair of exciting endings. Did you know those singles also made history?

At this point, anyone in the college baseball world should come to expect late-game heroics from UNC star Vance Honeycutt.

Facing a 2-out, 2-1 count against Virginia pitcher Chase Hungate, Honeycutt lined a single past the outstretched right arm of Griff O’Ferrell. Pinch-hitter Jackson Van De Brake jogged home from third base, crossing home plate and delivering North Carolina a 3-2 victory in the College World Series’ opening game.

Several hours later, ACC power Florida State and overall top seed Tennessee faced off in the nightcap. The Volunteers were well on their way to a win, taking a 4-1 lead after the second inning and showing no signs of slowing down, only for the Seminoles to score the next eight runs and take a 9-4 lead.

Game 2 had all the offense Game 1 didn’t, ending in a 12-11 Tennessee win. FSU later carried an 11-7 advantage into the eighth inning, only for Dylan Dreiling’s walk-off single to cap a furious, ninth-inning rally.

Despite the different game directions on Day One of the College World Series, they both made history.

For the first time in the CWS’ 77-year history, yesterday was the first time Games 1 and 2 ended in walk-offs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8OYYlOMTcp/

It’ll take a lot for Day Two to top yesterday. NC State and Kentucky are facing off at 2 p.m. ET, while last year’s CWS runner-up Florida and Texas A&M kick off at 7 p.m. ET.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Legendary UNC basketball coach Roy Williams spotted at College World Series

Hall of Fame basketball coach Roy Williams, who led the UNC men’s basketball team to three National Championships, was treated to quite the College World Series game on Friday afternoon.

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ quest for their first College World Series title started with a major win Friday afternoon.

UNC faced off against the University of Virginia, an ACC rival which won two of three regular-season matchups, in the CWS’ opening game. This game pitted a pair of teams with very similar playing styles against each other – clutch hitting, power bats and stellar pitching.

It was the Diamond Heels who emerged victorious in the end, with star center fielder Vance Honeycutt delivering more walk-off heroics, this time a 2-out single in a 3-2 North Carolina victory.

The Tar Heel faithful were expected to travel in droves to Nebraska, especially with how many fans showed up at the Boshamer Stadium send-off this week. From watching (and listening) to North Carolina-UVA, I saw several Carolina blue shirts scattered throughout the stands at Charles Schwab Field.

You might not recognize every – or any – fan in the stands. I don’t blame you – even though the stands weren’t full Friday afternoon, Charles Schwab Field still holds 24,000 spectators.

There’s one fan you might recognize, though – former UNC head basketball coach Roy Williams, who helped the Tar Heels capture the 2005, 2009 and 2017 National Championships.

Williams continues to enjoyed the retired life since stepping down in 2021. He cheered on the Diamond Heels in the Chapel Hill Regional, but was more widely-seen at the Final Four, actively rooting against NC State.

Will we see Williams in the stands on Sunday, too?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Vance Honeycutt lines walk-off single to deliver UNC College World Series-opening win

Big players come through in big-time moments. UNC star Vance Honeycutt came through, yet again, on Friday afternoon in North Carolina’s College World Series opener.

Seriously, what can’t Vance Honeycutt do?

The UNC baseball team’s star center fielder has broken records left and right this season. He set North Carolina’s single-season program record for home runs (26) earlier this yar, breaking his own record, while becoming the lone player in ACC baseball history to mash 50 career home runs and drive in 70 runners.

Honeycutt expanded upon his regular season heroics in the Chapel Hill Regional, mashing two home runs in the Diamond Heels’ opener against Long Island University. In Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional, against a West Virginia squad making their first-ever appearance in that round, Honeycutt blasted a walk-off home run to left field that sent the Boshamer Stadium crowd into a frenzy.

You thought Honeycutt was done after the Regional and Super Regional rounds?

Think again.

In UNC’s College World Series opener on Friday, June 14 against the University of Virginia, Honeycutt lined a 2-1 pitch into left field and delivered his team a 3-2 victory.

Honeycutt entered his final at-bat 0-4 in the game, with a pair of groundouts and a flyout to center field.

That wouldn’t deter the face of North Carolina baseball in his biggest moment of the season.

As soon as Honeycutt’s swing made contact with Chase Hungate’s pitch, Diamond Heels pinch-hitter Jackson Van De Brake raced around third base and crossed home plate. Honeycutt turned and smiled at his dugout, with teammates racing out to mob him.

UNC now awaits the winner of Tennessee-Florida State on Sunday, June 16 at 7 p.m. ET.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Several Diamond Heels earn All-America Honors ahead of College World Series

How many UNC baseball players were named All-Americans on Wednesday?

There is talent sprinkled across the UNC baseball roster.

All of that talent helped North Carolina advance to it first College World Series appearance since 2018, as it looks for national title number one this season.

The Diamond Heels’ most recognizable name is Vance Honeycutt, the only player in ACC baseball history to make the 50-70 club. There’s also Casey Cook, Parks Harber, Alberto Osuna and Luke Stevenson, but those are only a few of many stars at the plate.

On the mound, UNC carries the likes of freshman ace Jason DeCaro, 12-game winner Matthew Matthijs and star closer Dalton Pence. These three are easily North Carolina’s best pitchers, but you don’t have to look far for more stars.

Speaking of talent, several Diamond Heels earned All-America honors ahead of their CWS opener on Friday, June 14 at 2 p.m. ET.

Honeycutt (First Team), Pence (Second Team), DeCaro (Freshman First Team), starting catcher Luke Stevenson (Freshman First Team) and starting third baseman Gavin Gallaher (Freshman Second Team) all nabbed Perfect Game All-America Honors on Wednesday afternoon.

Honeycutt (Second Team), Matthijs (Third Team) and starting UNC first baseman Parks Harber (Second Team) all NCBWA All-America Honors.

Honeycutt leads the Diamond Heels with 26 home runs and 28 stolen bases, Stevenson has a North Carolina-high 484 putouts behind the plate, Gallaher broke into the starting lineup and is fourth on UNC with a .337 batting average, while Harber leads the Diamond Heels with a .341 average and is one of two players with 60 RBIs (Honeycutt).

Pence carries a team-high 71 strikeouts into the CWS and, among qualified pitchers, a team-best 2.04 earned run average. DeCaro’s six wins are most amongst starters (and second on North Carolina), while Matthijs’ 12 victories lead UNC and has him tied for second in Division I.

Will the Diamond Heels’ All-Americans continue their superstar-level play in Omaha?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.