Vance Honeycutt is considered one of the top prospects in the upcoming MLB Draft.
With one swing on Friday night, the UNC outfielder showed why.
The Super Regional matchup between the Tar Heels and visiting West Virginia saw the Mountaineers take a 6-5 lead to the top of the ninth, thanks in large part to a four-run sixth inning. Starting pitcher Derek Clark was still in the game when the ninth inning began, working deep into the night to try and save a West Virginia bullpen that had been hampered by injuries.
But Clark gave up a game-tying home run to freshman catcher Luke Stevenson, and after striking out pinch hitter Johnny Castagnozzi, Clark gave up a single to the eighth hitter in the lineup, UNC shortstop Alex Madera.
It was his 144th pitch of the night.
West Virginia head coach Randy Mazey knew he had to go and get his starter, who certainly left everything on the field. Mazey turned to Aidan Major, who recorded the second out of the inning and moved the Mountaineers just one out from extra innings. But that brought Honeycutt, the school leader in career home runs, to the plate with the winning run on first base.
After working the count to 3-0, Honeycutt had the green light but swung through a fastball.
He did not miss in his second swing of the at-bat:
The moon shot ended the proceedings, giving UNC an 8-6, walk-off victory.
In the process leaving the Mountaineers stunned, and wondering what might have been on a Friday night in Chapel Hill.
