Heels armed for rematch.

Byline: Bob Clark The Register-Guard

OMAHA, Neb. - Revenge? Redemption?

North Carolina wasn't inclined Friday to speak along those terms in discussing the rematch with Oregon State to decide the title at the College World Series. On the other hand, the presence of the Beavers couldn't be overlooked.

`It reminds me of how close we were and reminds me of how second place feels,' North Carolina shortstop Josh Horton said. `We stood there and watched them celebrate, and a bunch of the guys who were there remember that feeling.

`A lot of that is how the ball bounces. We caught some bad bounces last year.'

While there are returning Tar Heels from 2006, there are notable differences. The offense is led by national freshman of the year Dustin Ackley, who hit nine homers among 32 extra-base hits and drove in 72 runs with a .403 average. Fellow rookie Tim Fedroff is the second-leading hitter at .342, with catcher Tim Federowicz close behind at .339 and Horton at .335.

That's given the Tar Heels a .316 team average, despite third baseman Chad Flack seeing his average tumble from .384 last season to its current .251, low among regulars. Second baseman Bryan Steed, who made that crucial throwing error in the final game against the Beavers, is now a backup who had only 21 at-bats this season as sophomore Garrett Gore raised his average from .227 last year to its current .325

The major absences are the two pitchers who were first-round draft picks a year ago, Andrew Miller and Daniel Bard. This year's ace is Robert Woodard (11-2, 3.19 earned-run average), who could end up with the Emeralds in Eugene after being a 20th-round selection of the Padres, and he is joined in the rotation by two newcomers to starting in college.

That dropoff in starting pitching has made the two most valuable Tar Heels a pair of relief pitchers, roommates Andrew Carignan and Rob Wooten.

`We know that we need to pitch well for us to have the best chance to win,' Carignan said. `Our guys have confidence in us that if we're (ahead) when we come into the game, we'll win.'

A junior drafted in the fifth round by Oakland, Carignan is 2-1 with 18 saves and a 1.21 ERA in 39 appearances. Wooten, also a junior, has been used even more often, with 46 appearances including all 11 postseason games. He is 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA.

`We prepare our bodies and our arms to do that, and if need be we'll pitch in every game,' Carignan said.

Carignan was thankful, however, for no game on Friday after pitching 2 2/3 innings on Thursday night, which was his third consecutive day of work, all of more than one inning. He drew the longer stint Thursday because Wooten retired only one batter before giving up three hits.

Tiring, perhaps?

`He thought it was the best stuff he had (in recent games), but (the hitters) made good swings,' Carignan said. `It just happens.'

North Carolina coach Mike Fox said he was concerned about the recent workload for Carignan and Wooten, and should have used catcher Tim Federowicz, who made 19 pitching appearances this season but has only thrown one inning in Omaha.

`I rely on our relievers to tell me how they feel,' Fox said, adding `give those kids a lot of credit for how they prepare.'

Has it been too many appearances for Wooten? Was it too long for Carignan on Thursday? No matter the answer, they'll be out there as often and as long as needed against the Beavers.

`It's a tough situation for a coach,' Fox said. `You want your best guys to be out there, but they have futures in this game' as professionals.