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Analyzing Tennessee And North Carolina's Pitching Situation Ahead Of College World Series Matchup | Rocky Top Insider

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Analyzing Tennessee And North Carolina's Pitching Situation Ahead Of College World Series Matchup | Rocky Top Insider


Photo By Ian Cox/ Tennessee Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. — Tennessee baseball won its College World Series opening game for just the second time ever on Friday night, using a ninth inning rally to defeat Florida State 12-11. The Vols are looking to stay in the winner’s bracket when they face North Carolina on Sunday night at Charles Schwab Field.

Like Tennessee, the Tar Heels advanced to the winner’s bracket thanks to a ninth inning walk off single. But that’s where the similarities in the two games stop, the Tar Heels won 3-2 and used just three pitchers in the game. In comparison, the Vols used six different pitchers to get past Florida State.

So what does each team’s pitching staff look like entering the matchup?

Tennessee hasn’t announced its starting pitcher but it would be a major shock if it wasn’t Drew Beam. After three straight shaky starts, the Vols need a longer outing from Beam due to how heavily they taxed their bullpen against the Seminoles.

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Beam enters his second career College World Series start with an 8-2 record and 4.44 ERA on the season. But the right-handed pitcher has struggled so far in the postseason. In his last three starts, Beam has allowed 14 earned runs in 13 innings pitched (9.69 ERA).

The odd part about Beam’s struggles over his last three starts is that he’s mostly cruised into the middle innings. But that’s where things have imploded on him. Beam allowed five runs in the fifth inning against Mississippi State, four runs in the third and fourth inning against Indiana and three in the fourth inning against Evansville.

Who is available for Tennessee behind Beam? Aaron Combs (60 pitches in 3.1 innings) is probably the only Vol that is completely unavailable after pitching against Florida State.

More From RTI: Everything To Know About North Carolina Baseball

The Vols’ two other top relievers, AJ Causey (43 pitches in 1.2 inning) and Nate Snead (39 pitches in 2.1 innings), are likely both available though they may not be able to pitch extensively after longer outings against the Seminoles.

LHP Kirby Connell feels like a near lock to pitch after throwing 17 pitches in one inning against Florida State. Lefty specialist Andrew Behnke threw just seven pitchers against two batters and will be available. Chris Stamos could also pitch after throwing just eight pitches as Tennessee’s opener on Friday.

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Ideally, Tennessee’s pitching against North Carolina is Beam, Connell and one of Causey or Snead. But if Beam struggles, they’ll have to use more arms.

How about North Carolina’s pitching? Like Tennessee, the Tar Heels have not announced their starting pitcher but it will almost certainly be left-handed pitcher Shea Sprague.

The Elon transfer enters the College World Series with a 3-1 record, 4.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP on the season. It’s been less severe than Beam, but Sprague has also struggled over the last month. In his last five starts, Sprague’s allowed 14 earned runs in 24 innings pitched (5.25 ERA).

Behind Sprague, North Carolina’s whole bullpen is available. Matt Poston threw 23 pitches in 1.2 innings pitched and top reliever Dalton Pence threw just 29 pitches in a perfect 3.1 innings of relief. Both should be available for the Tar Heels, as will the rest of their bullpen, against Tennessee.

First pitch between Tennessee and North Carolina at Charles Schwab Field is at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday night. ESPN is broadcasting the game.

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North Carolina

North Carolina DL, former four-star prospect plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

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North Carolina DL, former four-star prospect plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal


North Carolina defensive lineman D’antre Robinson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. He transferred to UNC from Florida ahead of the 2025 campaign.

In his lone season with the Tar Heels, Robinson made 12 appearances. He recorded 39 tackles and a forced fumble. He was also credited with half a sack.

As a true freshman at Florida in 2024, Robinson played in 11 games. He notched 16 tackles, including three for loss, as well as 1.5 sacks.

D’antre Robinson played high school football at Jones (FL), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 267 overall player and No. 27 defensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.

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This past season was legendary head coach Bill Belichick‘s first at the helm of North Carolina. UNC posted a 4-8 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play

In December, Belichick hired former Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to serve in the same role for the Tar Heels next season. In November, there was speculation that Belichick would return to the professional ranks. Alas, the 73-year-old HC quickly squashed those rumors.

“Despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies,” Belichick wrote. “Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not waivered.

“We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community. My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud.”

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

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Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn

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Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn


Auburn’s latest incoming transfer brings experience and production to what was a position of weakness last season.

Former North Carolina tight end Jake Johnson signed with Auburn on Saturday, a source confirmed to AL.com. Johnson is the third transfer tight end Auburn has signed since the portal opened, joining Jonathan Echols and Xavier Newsom.

Johnson, however, is the most proven of Auburn’s signees at tight end. He brings four years of experience at North Carolina and Texas A&M, catching 16 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown in 2025.

His best season came with the Aggies in 2023, during which he caught 24 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, he brings versatility to Auburn’s tight end room and may be the best pass catching option.

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With Johnson now signed, Auburn’s tight end room is now up to five players, putting the Tigers in a good spot going into the 2026 season.

The transfer portal officially opened on Jan. 2 and will remain open until Jan. 16. Keep up with all of Auburn’s incoming and outgoing transfers here.



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2 Important Keys to North Carolina Entering Wake

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2 Important Keys to North Carolina Entering Wake


Saturday is a monumental game for the North Carolina Tar Heels, who are coming off an embarrassing defensive performance against the SMU Mustangs last weekend. Boopie Miller and the Mustangs dominated the tempo of the game, leading to a 97-83 win over the Tar Heels.

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North Carolina will be hosting the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday night. The Tar Heels enter this contest with a 13-2 overall record and a 1-1 conference record. Meanwhile, Wake Forest owns a 10-6 overall record and a 1-1 conference record.

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With that brief preview, let’s take a look at a couple of keys to the game that will be deciphering factors in the outcome of this matchup.

Can North Carolina Bounce Back Defensively?

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Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs guard Boopie Miller (2) drives to the basket past North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

While speaking with the media on Friday during his press conference, head coach Hubert Davis explained what he saw on film against SMU, and how that will be the main message heading into Saturday.

  • “Obviously, disappointed defensively,” Davis said. “It was just a number of things. I mean, it was on transition, one-on-one, not boxing out at times, not talking and communicating the right way, discipline, shot fake, stay down, putting guys at the free throw line. And so, I was really excited about this week not having a midweek game, to actually have practice. To practice on us, as opposed to preparing for Wake Forest until the latter part of the week. So, I felt like it was a perfect time not to have a midweek game, to be able to get to practice and start doing fundamentally the things that have allowed us all year to be a pretty good defensive team.”

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Jan 3, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Juke Harris (2) with a lay up defended by Virginia Tech Hokies guard Jailen Bedford (0) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Wake Forest’s top offensive weapon is Juke Harris, who is averaging 19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc.

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Last week, the Tar Heels struggled against their opponent’s best player, but Harris and Miller are drastically different players, so North Carolina may be able to contain the 6-foot-7, 200-pound guard more sufficiently. Nonetheless, the Tar Heels’ perimeter defense has to be stellar to win comfortably.

Backcourt Production Has to be Noticeable

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Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kyan Evans (0) looks to move the ball past SMU Mustangs guard B.J. Edwards (0) during the game between the Mustangs and the Tar Heels at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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We already know that Seth Trimble will do his part, but someone between Kyan Evans, Luka Bogavac, and Derek Dixon have to step up with an efficient performance. The trio has been extremely underwhelming for the majority of the season, especially Evans and Bogavac.

For Evans and Bogavac to find sustain success and confidence, a strong outing will go a long way in that regard. Saturday is an important game for the Tar Heels’ guard who need to show a sign of life with conference play heating up.

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