Luke DeCock

They’ve already played classics, and now they’ll meet in college baseball’s biggest stage: the College World Series. UNC and NC State are guaranteed to play once but could meet three times in Omaha. Oh, my. Let the fun begin.

NC State baseball’s trip to the College World Series is a big deal for a school that’s been a little short on big deals in recent years. The excitement is spreading among humans and canines alike.

The Wolfpack is going to the College World Series for the first time since 1968, and it took a game worthy of that lofty goal to get it there.

After playing 18 extra innings in the past 2 1/2 weeks, North Carolina relied on the experience gained in those situations to beat South Carolina in the bottom of the ninth and move within a win of the College World Series.

The question is unavoidable. The Autrys of Wake Forest got into horse racing because they loved the excitement, but also because they loved the animals. They bought their first horse because they were worried about where he would end up, and pledged to make sure all of their racers found homes when they were retired

There were officially 3,517 people in Boshamer Stadium on Monday night, almost all of whom were still there Tuesday morning.

This isn’t like North Carolina. That’s what Chaz Frank said. That’s what Mike Fox said. The Tar Heels don’t recognize themselves, the way they’re playing right now. They do recognize they’re a game away from early elimination. Again.

N.C. State may not have felt good about a 1-0 lead at that point, but the Wolfpack had to feel pretty good about Rodon finishing what he started Saturday night, especially only 100 pitches into it, not many by his standards.

The question is unavoidable. The Autrys of Wake Forest got into horse racing because they loved the excitement, but also because they loved the animals. They bought their first horse because they were worried about where he would end up, and pledged to make sure all of their racers found homes when they were retired.

North Carolina won 6-3, but with only a one-run lead heading into the top of the eighth inning in Friday’s NCAA tournament opener, the Tar Heels gave Canisius every chance to stick around. After what happened a year ago, it was a little too close for comfort. It was also a good sign, that the Tar Heels could face similar circumstances without stumbling again.