North Carolina
Bats awaken, but not enough for North Carolina baseball to overcome FSU in CWS
OMAHA, Neb. — North Carolina baseball finally got the big inning it was looking for throughout the College World Series.
But it wasn’t enough for the Tar Heels to avoid elimination from its first CWS appearance since 2018.
Florida State’s high-powered lineup was simply too much for UNC, as the Seminoles pulled off a 9-5 win before 23,047 at Charles Schwab Field.
FSU took a 7-1 lead into the fifth inning before UNC battled back, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Three came on a three-run homer from UNC center fielder Vance Honeycutt, his 28th of the season and second of the postseason.
“We battled all year,” UNC coach Scott Forbes said. “Didn’t surprise me we made a run back there. Just didn’t get it done.”
Honeycutt went 3 for 5 with a homer, 3 RBIs and two runs scores in what will likely be his last game in a Tar Heel uniform, A junior, Honeycutt is projected as a first-round draft pick in next month’s MLB amateur draft.
“That’s how this team has been all year,” Honeycutt said. “There’s just no quit. That’s a credit to how we’re trained, how we’re coached and the character of the guys in the locker room.”
With UNC down 3-1, Forbes turned to closer Dalton Pence in the third inning in an attempt to limit the damage and keep the Tar Heels in the game. But Pence got touched up by FSU in the fifth inning, as the Seminoles rallied for four runs against him to take a 7-1 lead.
“He couldn’t get that cutter where he wanted to throw it,” Forbes said. “But man, like golly, talk about a kid, we wouldn’t be here without him, and he’s just human.”
Back-to-back home runs by FSU doom North Carolina in the ninth inning
North Carolina trailed 7-5 in the ninth inning. But with shifting winds gusting 21-38 miles per hour that started blowing out at the ballpark, FSU catcher Jaxson West belted a pitch from UNC reliever Cameron Padgett into wind which carried for an opposite field home run, extending FSU’s lead to 8-5.
FSU leadoff batter Max Williams followed with a towering shot to right field off Padgett, giving FSU a 9-5 lead.
“The first one I thought he got up in that jet stream,” Forbes said. “And then the next one, that guy hit a mistake, that’s what good hitters do. I thought that would have been out anywhere. Obviously, I felt like we were in striking distance.
“But this team, still, they came in talking about the getting the tying run to the plate. The word ‘belief’ is extremely important and having faith. There was no doubt in my mind we get the tying run (to the plate) something crazy was going to happen, unfortunately, it just didn’t.”
North Carolina (48-16) finished its fourth season under Forbes as ACC regular season champions and reached the CWS for the 12th time in program history.
“I’m proud to be the leader of this program,” Forbes said. “But man, these guys, just so thankful they took me along this ride with them.”
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A section of E. 4th Street in Washington will close next week for sewer line replacement work.
According to the city, E. 4th Street from Hudnell Street to Aycock Street will be closed to local traffic on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
PINE KNOLL SHORES, Carteret County — A longtime Pine Knoll Shores public servant is preparing to begin a new chapter after nearly two decades with the town.
Ryan Thompson announced he will leave his full-time role with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores on August 12 after 18 years of service.
Thompson said he first came to Pine Knoll Shores in 2008 and has served the town in several roles, including police officer, chief of police, assistant town manager and most recently interim town manager.
In a message shared by the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department, Thompson said serving the community has been the greatest honor of his professional career.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores announces Ryan Thompson to depart after 18 years
He reflected on working alongside first responders through several hurricanes and coastal emergencies over the years, including Irene, Arthur, Matthew, Florence, Dorian, Isaias, Ophelia and Debby.
Thompson also highlighted the community’s response after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina in 2024. He said Pine Knoll Shores helped raise nearly $20,000 to support people impacted by the storm.
Thompson said Pine Knoll Shores has also been a special place for his family. His son served as a part-time firefighter with the Pine Knoll Shores Fire Department, and his wife served as the town’s tax collector.
Although he is leaving his full-time role, Thompson said he is not saying goodbye to the town.
He will begin serving as a public safety risk management consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He said the new role will allow him to work with cities and towns across the state to help support public safety and local governments.
Thompson also said he will remain with the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department as a part-time police officer.
He said he will also continue helping the town during its transition as Pine Knoll Shores begins the search for its next police chief and works through the town manager transition.
Captain Eric Tellefsen will become interim chief of police after Thompson’s departure.
Thompson said he is confident in the department’s leadership team and thanked the Pine Knoll Shores community for its trust, support and friendship over the past 18 years.
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