Former New Bern athlete pitches Heels into College World Series

By Adam Thompson

Sun Journal Staff

CARY - After the University of North Carolina clinched a spot in its third-straight College World Series, Adam Warren was trying to avoid being on the bottom of the celebratory pile.

The UNC junior had just sealed his third trip to Omaha, Neb. This time, he'll have a more important role than in prior years.

"I am in the starting rotation and that's kind of exciting," Warren said. "This is a special team and we are like a family."

The New Bern graduate pitched six innings and allowed just two hits and no runs Sunday, leading UNC to a series-clinching 14-4 victory over Coastal Carolina in the Super Regionals at the U.S.A. Baseball Complex in Cary.

Warren (9-1) struck out three and walked four, lowering his earned run average from 4.42 to 4.07.

"It's always fun to get out there and compete," Warren said. "It meant a lot that coach had the confidence in me to throw me out there."

The Tar Heels' bullpen gave up four runs in the seventh inning. Once Warren departed from the game, he was congratulated by his teammates.

But the first thing that came to his mind was getting out of the 100-degree temperatures.

"I was just looking for the nearest cold towel to put on my neck because it was real hot," Warren said. "It didn't affect me that much. Our trainer did a great job of bringing me a towel every inning and made sure I had enough water. I think I was a lot better prepared this weekend."

The Tar Heels' offense took the pressure off of Warren with a six-run second inning. They added three more runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.

"It's a lot easier to go out there and throw strikes when you have a six-run lead," Warren said.

Warren had a no-hitter going through four innings. Coastal Carolina picked up its first hit in the fifth inning, when Tyler Bortnick hit a pop fly to UNC second baseman Kyle Seager, who lost it in the sun.

The ball dropped behind Seager, allowing Bortnick to reach first base with two outs. However, Warren got the next Coastal Carolina batter out to end the inning.

"I was just locating my fastball and I felt like I located my offspeed pitches pretty well," Warren said. "The defense was great today."

Coastal Carolina got its second hit off of Warren in the sixth inning, when Dock Doyle blooped a two-out single to center field.

With runners on first and third, Warren got the next Coastal batter to fly out, ending his afternoon.

Warren, who was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 36_th round of the Major League Baseball draft on Friday, was on a roll from the first two pitches he tossed - both of which were strikes.

The Tar Heels' junior retired the Chanticleers in order in the first inning, got out of a jam in the second and got an inning-ending double play to help him out in the third inning.

Warren struck out two hitters in the fourth inning, as he got Coastal Carolina out in order.

Warren entered the game with an 8-1 record and a 4.42 earned run average.

The Tar Heels improve to 51-12 and will play their first game Saturday in the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

"I heard someone say it's about as close as you can get to playing in a major league stadium," Warren said. "The fans are great, it's a fun atmosphere and it's a great experience."

Adam Thompson can be reached at (252) 635-5670 or at athompson@freedomenc.com