The No. 14 Panthers, playing their fourth game in five days, struggled to get effective pitching in their ACC Tournament semifinal against national juggernaut No. 2 North Carolina, in a 13-5 loss at Truist Park in Charlotte, N.C., one they hope will not end their season.
The Panthers began the day projected as the "last team in" to the 64-team NCAA tournament's Road to the College World Series. They have not made a tournament regional since 1995.
A victory over the Tar Heels would have likely secured a spot, and they started strong with a two-run top of the first. But UNC responded with three runs in the bottom half off southpaw Antonio Doganiero, including a two-run home run by Gavin Gallaher, the first of six home runs in the game by the Tar Heels. UNC also had a season-best 23 hits against seven Panthers' pitchers, several tossing innings for the third and fourth time in the ACC Tournament.
The Panthers battled to the end, living up to their "Grittsburgh" nickname, and an RBI single scoring Lorenzo Carrier in the ninth inning had Trey Fenderson tying the ACC Tournament record with 13 RBIs. Fenderson finished 11 for 22 over the five games, with three home runs.
The Panthers now hope they've made a strong enough case ahead of the NCAA Tournament selection show at 12 p.m. ET Monday, airing live on ESPN2. Regional tournament play begins Friday, May 30.
THE ASYLUM
Panthers pitching falters in loss
The No. 14 Panthers, playing their fourth game in five days, struggled to get effective pitching in their ACC Tournament semifinal against national juggernaut No. 2 North Carolina, in a 13-5 loss at Truist Park in Charlotte, N.C., one they hope will not end their season.
The Panthers began the day projected as the "last team in" to the 64-team NCAA tournament's Road to the College World Series. They have not made a tournament regional since 1995.
A victory over the Tar Heels would have likely secured a spot, and they started strong with a two-run top of the first. But UNC responded with three runs in the bottom half off southpaw Antonio Doganiero, including a two-run home run by Gavin Gallaher, the first of six home runs in the game by the Tar Heels. UNC also had a season-best 23 hits against seven Panthers' pitchers, several tossing innings for the third and fourth time in the ACC Tournament.
The Panthers battled to the end, living up to their "Grittsburgh" nickname, and an RBI single scoring Lorenzo Carrier in the ninth inning had Trey Fenderson tying the ACC Tournament record with 13 RBIs. Fenderson finished 11 for 22 over the five games, with three home runs.
The Panthers now hope they've made a strong enough case ahead of the NCAA Tournament selection show at 12 p.m. ET Monday, airing live on ESPN2. Regional tournament play begins Friday, May 30.
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