The Omaha Diaries, Day 7: David’s Team
This was how David, 6, showed his excitement for the day’s ball game. David and his father, Josh, are from Burlington, N.C. and flew to Omaha the night before. David is inseparable from his authentic UNC cap, given to him by former pitcher
Jake Knapp. He’s also been inseparable from the Tar Heels ever since Team IMPACT paired the two in 2025. (
Chapelboro.com)
Gavin Gallaher, UNC baseball in familiar position vs Oklahoma at College World Series
Gavin Gallaher and UNC baseball have "been here before" this season. Following a 9-3 loss to Oklahoma in Game 1 of the 2026 CWS finals, Gallaher and the Tar Heels quickly shifted their attention to Game 2 against the Sooners on Sunday. UNC hasn’t lost a series since early March, but 14 of the last 22 CWS champions won Game 1 in Omaha. (
USA Today)
Burlington boy, leukemia survivor will cheer on UNC baseball in CWS title series
UNC baseball will have a special fan in attendance this weekend when it plays for a national championship. No, it won’t be country singer Eric Church. Or men’s basketball coach
Michael Malone. Or even
Roy Williams. The Tar Heels’ special guest is David Hill, a 6-year-old leukemia survivor. His family found out last week that a trip to Omaha was possible. (
MSN.com)
2026 MCWS finals: Will Oklahoma's win or UNC's loss carry more of an emotional impact in Game 2?
As the game began slipping away, the concern for
Scott Forbes and the UNC coaching staff shifted from trying to rally on Saturday's scoreboard in lieu of focusing on mentally rallying in time for Sunday's Game 2. As soon as his team had filed into the locker room, he addressed it. "It's a weekend series," he said in the media room, moments later. (
ESPN)
Video: 6-year-old cancer survivor, Tar Heel fan in Omaha to cheer on UNC baseball team
David Hill, 6, and his family are in Omaha to support UNC Baseball during the College World Series. Matched with the the Tar Heels through Team IMPACT, David's dream of attending the series was made possible following a surprise trip arranged by the organization after the team's victory last Wednesday.
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View Video)
Sun Jun 21
How UNC Is Approaching a Must-Win Game 2 in the National Championship Series
They've been in this position before. That was North Carolina head coach
Scott Forbes' message to his team on Saturday night. The Tar Heels dropped Game 1 of their weekend series to Boston College in the regular season. They did the same against Clemson. And most recently, they lost Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional vs. Southern California. (
TarHeel247)
UNC basketball: First look at Terrence Brown in the Smith Center
Terrence Brown was a huge piece to the puzzle for
Michael Malone's first roster-building process as the head coach of the UNC basketball program. Videos on social media surfaced of Brown getting in some reps at the Smith Center, and the clips of him knocking down shots will have Tar Heel fans excited to see what he can do for the upcoming season. (
Keeping It Heel)
Lucas: A Series
Once the first pitch is thrown on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern, nothing from Saturday carries over. UNC has to hope we've only seen a third of the innings of this series. The Tar Heels can't win two games on Sunday. But they can win one—must win one—and then see what happens in a decisive third game. There's very recent history to suggest it's doable. (
GoHeels.com)
Diamond Heels Remain Confident Despite Game 1 Championship Setback
The tarp came on to the turf immediately following the final out, anticipating a night full of rain in Omaha. The ever-positive
Scott Forbes hopes it washes away the feelings from Saturday’s loss. He seemed ready to move on minutes after the game ended. "We’ll flush that quickly, like we have been doing all year, and we’ll wake up excited to play tomorrow." (
Chapelboro.com)
Ryan Lynch to Start Game 2 for UNC Against Oklahoma
UNC coach
Scott Forbes is handing the ball to
Ryan Lynch with their season on the line. The Tar Heels will start Lynch in Game 2 of the CWS on Sunday, a must-win for UNC to force a Game 3 Monday. Lynch was the Tar Heels' No. 2 starter behind
Jason DeCaro in the regular season. In 94.1 innings this season, Lynch boasts a 4.20 ERA and a 5-4 record. (
TarHeel247)
Video: UNC Baseball Post-Oklahoma CWS Game 1 Press Conference
North Carolina head baseball coach
Scott Forbes, pitcher
Jason DeCaro, and shortstop
Jake Schaffner speak with the media on Saturday evening following the Tar Heels' 9-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in Game 1 of the College World Series finals in Omaha, Nebraska.
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View Video)
Sat Jun 20
Lucas: UNC Baseball vs. Oklahoma CWS Rapid Reactions (Game 1)
Oklahoma continues to roll, earning a 9-3 win over UNC in the first game of the best-of-three national championship series. As advertised, the Oklahoma offense is swinging the bat very well. Beyond just the nine runs that they scored (on 14 hits), the damage could have been worse. Oklahoma simply controlled the game offensively in every possible way. (
GoHeels.com)
UNC Baseball faces elimination game after Oklahoma rolls to Game 1 victory in CWS
The pitching and defense that have carried UNC Baseball all season failed the Tar Heels during key moments on the biggest stage, and the offense faded after the first inning. That last pitch to get out of an inning couldn’t come soon enough, as Oklahoma plated five two-out runs in a 9-3 victory Saturday in Omaha in Game 1 of the College World Series Finals. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
MCWS 2026 championship preview: The thrill of victory and Omaha agony
This is UNC's 13th trip to Omaha, but it has yet to return to Chapel Hill with a champion's trophy. Only one other program has made more visits without a ring, Carolina's ACC rival Florida State, which is 0-for-24. Nine of UNC's MCWS berths have come since 2006. This is the third time it has made it to the finals. Its first two came in back-to-back seasons (2006-07). (
ESPN)
The Omaha Diaries, Day 6: Last Flags Flying
It’s been a long time – 19 years to be exact – since the North Carolina flag has flown that high this late into the summer. So before heading over to Charles Schwab Field, do yourself a favor and soak in this moment. Take
Scott Forbes’ advice and enjoy some down time. Take in the spectacle of Omaha. Walk a lap around the block. Try and go find that flag. (
Chapelboro.com)