There’s a lot to be excited about in the UNC baseball world right now – and none of it has to do with the the current Diamond Heels themselves.
It all has to do with Zac Gallen, the 2014-2016 Diamond Heel, who is just a day away from starting Game 1 of the World Series for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Gallen was among the MLB’s best in the regular season – holding a 17-9 win-loss record (second), striking out 220 batters (sixth), carrying a 3.47 earned run average (16th) and 1.12 WHIP (12th). He’s among the NL Cy Young favorites, but should be THE favorite after helping lead Arizona to its first World Series berth since the 2001, championship-winning season.
How is Gallen’s alma mater supporting him back in Chapel Hill?
Look no further than UNC baseball head coach Scott Forbes, who was spotted donning a Gallen Diamondbacks jersey, on Wednesday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.
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Forbes, now entering his fourth season as Carolina head coach, was a Mike Fox assistant when Gallen played in Chapel Hill. Gallen compiled a 14-13 win-loss record, 3.36 ERA and struck out 231 career batters over three years
Though Gallen is several years removed from being a Tar Heel, it’s still amazing to see how much support he’s getting from a small little town in Central North Carolina – all the way across the country.
Here’s to hoping Gallen can bring the Diamondbacks their second World Series title.
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