Beavers beat UNC, claim championship
First team since LSU to win back-to-back titles
By: David Ely, Sports Editor
Issue date: 6/21/07 Section: Sports
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For a second time, the Tar Heels looked on as Oregon State (49-18) tossed its gloves in the air after the final UNC batter was put away.
Unlike last year, however, when the Beavers' won a tight three-game battle for the championship, this time around, Oregon State was clearly the better team as the Beavers defeated North Carolina 9-3 on Sunday night to complete their finals sweep and quest for back-to-back NCAA crowns.
"I've got to congratulate Oregon State," UNC head coach Mike Fox said. "What an unbelievable accomplishment that is to win back-to-back national championships. Can't ever say never but I'm not sure that's gonna be done here at this level too many times."
With the win, OSU is the first squad to win a national championship in consecutive seasons since Louisiana State accomplished the feat in 1996-97.
Early in the game, though, things looked like they were going to be different for the Tar Heels. North Carolina (57-16) grabbed a quick 1-0 lead when first baseman Dustin Ackley singled to left field to score junior Reid Fronk. The 1-0 deficit was Oregon State's first in 61 innings.
But as was the case throughout the finals, UNC couldn't produce the big inning, failing to capitalize with runners on second and third and only one out. For the game, North Carolina left 10 runners on base, and couldn't seem to get that one hit to jumpstart the offense.
"We couldn't just get that big hit, whether it's two outs or an extra-base hit with people on base," Fox said. "I felt like if we could just get one, it would really spark the rest of us, and maybe more would follow."
North Carolina's inability to hit in the clutch was amplified when OSU took the lead right back from the Tar Heels in the top of the second, forcing UNC to play catch up the rest of the game.
Oregon State catcher Mitch Canham, one of the six Beavers on the Men's College World Series All-Tournament Team, hit an infield single of UNC starter Luke Putkonen to lead off the second. Then shortstop Darwin Barney gave OSU the lead with a two-run homer that just cleared the left field fence.
Six batters later, the Beavers led 3-1 and right-hander Andrew Carignan replaced Putkonen, who lasted just 1.2 innings allowing three runs - two earned - on three hits and two walks.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Andy Lars
posted 6/25/07 @ 1:38 AM EST
How 'bout those Beavs! Congrats to UNC for a great season and a great run. Props to the Beavs for their repeat! With the exception of one little blow up by Andrew Carignan, UNC showed a lot of class during the series, especially in defeat. (Continued…)
D. Leonardo
posted 6/25/07 @ 10:11 AM EST
Keep you heads up TarHeels!
You have high class program and a great coach. Making it back to the finals is a huge accomplishment alone. Your team will continue to get better and better. (Continued…)
Wes
posted 6/25/07 @ 10:20 AM EST
Andy & D. Leonardo: Your school just won its third national championship in any sport, ever. Do you really not have anything better to do than gloat about it by posting a comment on the DTH website?
db
posted 6/25/07 @ 11:02 AM EST
Hey Wes,
Don't be bitter, buddy...don't be bitter. 3 National Championships, that's true, but we have 2 more baseball titles than you have. Enjoy sweet tea and all that other southern stuff. (Continued…)
prairiewinters
rwinters
posted 6/25/07 @ 11:05 AM EST
Wes, somebody has to post comments on the article in the comments section. Sorry the first congrats have to come from outside your own state. Oregon State, the last team in the tournament and the last team standing, finishing 6th in the PAC9 (Oregon does not play baseball) with a losing record, has some right to be overjoyed. (Continued…)
Benny Beaver
posted 6/25/07 @ 11:56 AM EST
Congratulations to the Heels on a solid season, but some of you fans need to take a step back and calm down. We haven't seen arrogance like this since the weeks building up to the 2001 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame. (Continued…)
Natrone
posted 6/25/07 @ 12:51 PM EST
Carolina > Notre Dame. It's science.
Someone actually affiliated with UNC
posted 6/25/07 @ 2:20 PM EST
As a student at UNC, a fan of baseball, and a friend of some of our players, I must say the Heels had one heck of a season. Why waste our time discussing Notre Dame? The boys of summer beat out every other team in the nation to get where they were this weekend, but just couldn't get past the last one. (Continued…)
Louise
posted 6/25/07 @ 4:09 PM EST
Well said, "Someone acutally". I appreciated the original comments from the OSU fans, especially D.Leonardo. Congrats to you.
Steve
posted 6/25/07 @ 4:44 PM EST
UNC fans: Great job with your ball team. You have a super program, and I hope you make it back to the CWS next year.
Please ignore the Beaver fans that are gloating or chiding - It is not what this region or state is about. (Continued…)
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