Staring at the Sun

Carolina lost to Arizona State last night in stunning fashion, 12-5. After taking a 4-0 lead to the 7th inning, Brian Moran decided it was time to hand the Sun Devils another victory and gave up a game-tying Grand Slam to the exact same batter as who hit a game-winning 10th inning 3-run home run against him on Sunday.

Now, it was a terrible chain of events for Moran, but why was he even in the game? Facing the same batter that embarrassed him less than a week ago? Mike Fox should bear the responsibility for this loss. The pitching decisions with and without the lead were dumbfounding and showed Carolina was willing to squeak by instead of going for the kill.

For a team that had so many factors in it’s favor, it will be facing a lot of questions this offseason. It’s looking more and more likely that instead of building a Carolina program based around success, the Diamond Heels represent monumental failure and consistent disapointment. With the amount of talent that has passed through in the past four years, four straight trips to the CWS shouldn’t be out of the question. The accomplishment is admirable, for sure, but this is a University that values the postseason a little differently. Sure, you can show up for a test, but if you fail, why’d you show up in the first place?

Now after four failed tests, the Heels look to regroup and make fifth straight CWS. With the squad that’s returning, it’s not terribly unlikely. The departure of Dustin Ackley will sting, no doubt, but after losing Chad Flack and Chris Iannetta, the Heels have reloaded, and Levi Michael certainly looks like he’s capable of stepping up.

Regardless, four years later here we are. Expectations met with errors, wins countered with losses to Oregon State (twice), Fresno State, and Arizona State, and zero championships. The only thing about next year that I’m sure of, if the Heels make it back to Omaha, I think they’ll want to avoid playing a “State” school.