At some point in the College World Series, North Carolina is going to have to reach into its bullpen and find a relief pitcher who can get a tough out or shut down a threatening inning.
When it happens, Michael Morin wants coach Mike Fox to call his number, hand him the ball and put the game in his hands.
Morin, a 6-foot-4 sophomore right-hander, is UNC's closer. He is coming off a tough outing against Stanford in the Chapel Hill Super Regional title game, but said he isn't concerned about a carryover effect on his next appearance.
A good relief pitcher needs a strong arm, a fearless attitude and a short memory. Morin has all three qualities, which helped UNC go 50-14 and reach the College World Series for the fifth time in six years.
"You continue to go at the hitters, regardless of what happens," Morin said. "You have to stay focused. You have to continue to attack and attack and not give in, and focus on the single pitch at hand.
"You have to flush what happens, whether it's good or bad, and focus on the next pitch."
Morin was thrust into a demanding situation Saturday when he came on in relief of Greg Holt, who was UNC's first relief pitcher against Stanford, in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Stanford already had scored one run to cut UNC's lead to 6-2. The bases were loaded with one out when Morin took over on the mound. Trouble arrived on his sixth pitch.
Austin Wilson doubled into the gap in left-center field to knock in three runs and slice the difference to one run at 6-5. A seemingly secure win had suddenly become a game that could go either way.
"The double that guy hit, it really wasn't a bad pitch," Morin said. "He's a big kid, a big, strong kid, and he was able to get his hands extended. It changed the game for the moment."
Good relievers are known as firemen for their abilities to put out baseball fires. Morin is the Tar Heels' fireman, but he will admit that he sometimes is a firebug also who lets teams get going.
"Unfortunately, it's happened quite a few times," Morin said with a smile. "I usually find a way to make it somewhat interesting, especially in the eighth inning. I don't know what it is about it, but I've had quite a few ups and downs this year."
Morin walked the next batter to put runners on first and second. He then coaxed a double-play grounder to end the inning.
More problems came the next inning when UNC was batting. With two outs in the top of the ninth, the game was halted by severe weather and rain for 3 hours, 32 minutes.
After play resumed, UNC punched in another run for a 7-5 lead. As its defense took the field in the bottom of the ninth, Morin came back out to the mound. He wanted the last three outs.
Fox laughed and said he left the decision to stay with Morin or go to another reliever after the delay to Scott Forbes, UNC's pitching coach, because if it backfired he wouldn't be responsible. Fox had no intention of taking out Morin, however.
"Usually Michael is better after maybe he hasn't had a good outing or a good inning or a good game," Fox said. "He's better the next time out. And that was almost like a next time out because the delay was so long."
Morin retired Stanford in order in the bottom of the inning. The first two batters struck out swinging.
"I guess that shows you what we all know about delays and arms," Fox said. "That's 3½ hours (waiting). I'm not even sure he picked up a ball during that time and threw. I thought he was better after the delay than he was before the delay."
Morin got his second consecutive save in the series. He has 10 saves for the season and 13 for his career, which are the ninth-most in UNC history.
"I was lucky enough to throw a good ninth," Morin said. "I was still fairly confident. The hit was part of baseball. I just had to flush it and keep attacking."
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