CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – It’s been a record year for the University of North Carolina baseball team.
The Tar Heels set the longest home win streak in school history, won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title and will close out their season on the biggest stage in college baseball at the 2024 College World Series.
But what’s the pillar of all their success? Well, the answer for those within the program is pretty simple.
“The backbone of our program is love,” UNC head baseball coach Scott Forbes said. “I know it sounds corny, but I don’t think people tell each other enough.”
At least once a day, and at the end of every email he sends to his team, Forbes reminds his players that he loves them.
“It’s not something that I really hear all the time,” UNC pitcher Boston Flannery said. “So to be able to hear it every day or read it from him, it warms my heart every day.”
It wasn’t always something that Forbes regularly voiced to his players. It’s become part of his maturation process since taking over the head coaching role in 2020.
“The thing that’s changed the most is the players come first, period,” Forbes said. “And when I get in here every single day, that’s what it’s about.”
“What they do for us and how they truly care for us is unbelievable,” UNC catcher Luke Stevenson said. “It’s the most support I’ve ever felt.”
It’s caught on like wildfire. Now, it’s not just Coach Forbes reminding his players he loves them. It’s become an all too common phrase heard throughout the Tar Heels’ clubhouse these days.
“Having the guys I’m around every day say, ‘Hey, I love you, man,’ it’s been awesome,” Flannery said. “And especially when Coach Forbes tells me he loves me, it’s on a different level just because he’s our coach and usually you don’t hear that a lot. If I’m having a bad day or something is not going right on or off the field, I know that he loves me, so it really helps you out a lot.”
UNC doesn’t know what will unfold on the field in Omaha this weekend. But whether they are in the dugout, on the bus rides or in practice, every person inside the locker room knows they will be surrounded by love, no matter what.
The Diamond Heels are set to open the College World Series against fellow ACC opponent Virginia on Friday. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST.