One Heck Of A Ride

UNC dogpiling after win against South Carolina to reach College World Series |  James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

I was hoping I wouldn't have to write this but here we go.

It's always upsetting to see your favorite team lose, especially when they've come so far. That's exactly how I feel about the UNC Baseball team as I'm writing this. 

After going through a lot of adversity to get there, the Heels made it back to Omaha for the College World Series. So close to the championship series, the team lost 4-1 to UCLA on Friday night. This loss actually hurts more than those two championship series losses to Oregon State a few years ago.

Why?

It just seemed like, of all the years UNC has been in Omaha, this was the year the team would finally win it all. 

Everything seemed to fall into place: a school record 59 wins - one shy of the NCAA record - a number one overall seed, coming back to defeat Florida Atlantic in the Regional and South Carolina in the Super Regional during the NCAA Tournament and then fighting through the loser's bracket in the World Series to get so close.

But it just didn't happen. The Heels are still without that elusive national title. Don't worry, though, the time is coming soon.

I'm not technically apart of this team but I've made so many memories with them. From sitting right behind UNC's dugout at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in that 14-inning thriller against Clemson during the ACC Tournament, to watching every second of the 18-inning game against N.C. State a day later, to watching this team deservedly win the ACC Championship in person, to meeting these players and coaches and wishing them good luck before the team departed for Omaha. 

Nothing beats seeing the excitement on my 86-year-old grandma's face when she got to meet Coach Jackson at that send off. The memories made this season far surpass any championship or trophy.

As far as I'm concerned these 2013 UNC Diamond Heels are national champions. Period.

Congrats to Coach Mike Fox and the rest of the players, coaches and staff on a great season and I can't wait to see what's in store for next season!