Team is ready to enjoy trip, play hard and do best it can

North Carolina won another trip to the College World Series yesterday, which validated its license to run, jump and flop into a human heap on the field.

The Tar Heels exercised the license, the catcher bowling over the relief pitcher as teammates arrived at the scene of what they affectionately call a dog pile.

Not every dog had his day, however. Ace pitcher Alex White, who won the Super Regional opener on Saturday, stood cautiously on the periphery -- close enough to hear the yelps and breathless grunts, far enough away to protect a valuable arm that will carry significant weight in the pro draft Tuesday and the CWS in all the Omaha days that follow.

White is a smart fellow, saving his body for a moment of greater importance. Adam Warren, the senior who beat East Carolina 9-3 yesterday, has a superior career record (31-4 vs. junior White's 27-14) and a regular spot in the all-academic rotation, already squeezing his business-school degree in his talented right hand.

Fourth CWS in a row

Those capable pitchers and Walnut Cove's Dustin Ackley, a junior first baseman nominated as America's finest amateur hitter, will lead Carolina to its fourth consecutive CWS. Only nine other teams executed the stunt before, none from the ACC. The larger circus question: Can the Tar Heels pull off their first national championship?

In 2006, Carolina led Oregon State 5-0 in the potential CWS clincher but blew up that night and then lost the title the next night. The Tar Heels finished second again in 2007 and third last season.

"Winning it would mean everything, especially for our seniors," Ackley said. "They've been there one more year than I have and came the closest to winning it. It would be unbelievable to accomplish something like that. You'd look back on that one day and think that's the most unbelievable thing that has ever happened to you."

Third baseman Kyle Seager, a senior from Kannapolis and the team's other crucial hitter, lived the history. He understands the equation.

"I think we've got just as good a chance as anybody," he said. "If we do win it, that would be a great way to send out a great group of guys that we've had here and would be really big for our program. I think we've put ourselves where we're on a national stage, and I think to be able to win one would really put us in the elite company. I mean, going four years in a row is really unbelievable, but to top it off with a win would be even better."

Back on familiar territory

Coach Mike Fox built the resilient machine that keeps returning to Omaha like a computer-driven boomerang. If familiarity soothes the nerves, Fox might find a second home for his theory of relaxation.

"We've learned where the best steaks are out there, the best milk shakes (Zesto's), the best route to get in," Fox said. "Our fans have learned where to park. We've learned a lot. We've learned to enjoy every single second of it, and we're going to try to do that. I think I tried to enjoy this win today more than I ever have here, just to kind of let loose. I wanted to be respectful to the other team and kind of not act like a kid, but I felt like a kid today when it was over. You can't ever take this for granted. I said it after the first year, the second, the third: We may never go back again, and we might not."

In other words, Fox has learned that experience doesn't guarantee winning. He obviously prefers to lower expectations and take the edge off the larger question.

"I'm never going to say a program's defined by a national title," Fox said. "I refuse to do that. It doesn't mean we're not going out and do our best, but I think you're selling yourself short if you do that. I'm not trying to set myself up for thinking if we don't, but it is very hard to win a national championship in any sport. College baseball is certainly in that, with the other seven teams that will be so good out there. We're going to try to enjoy it and do the best we can and let it go from there. Our program is defined by a lot more than that -- at least I hope it is."

‘A good one-two punch'

Milk-shake drinkers may or may not win the trophy. Billy Godwin, the East Carolina coach, will bet his steaks on efficient pitchers and timely hitters. He admires the control and 90 mph speed of Carolina's right-handers.

"We've seen guys that throw hard all year, but not with that type of command," Godwin said. "That says a lot for those guys. It's a good one-two punch. I study Omaha a lot because that's where I still think we're going. It might not be today, but I still believe it. If you get some breaks out there and you win some games, you don't have to be as deep on the mound as you think you do. They certainly have a real good shot with those two guys."

The Tar Heels have a fourth shot in four years, the cause for childlike celebration yesterday and collegial contemplation tomorrow.

■ Lenox Rawlings can be reached at lrawlings@wsjournal.com.