OMAHA, Neb. — When he opted to come to North Carolina rather than sign with the Los Angeles Angels last summer, pitcher Matt Harvey hoped he would have the chance to pitch at the College World Series.
Thursday, he will. The freshman All-American (7-2) will face LSU, which UNC beat Sunday. The winner of the game then needs to top Fresno State twice to advance to the championship series. The loser goes home.
"This is what you pitch for — either playing in the Major Leagues or pitching in the College World Series — a big game,'' Harvey said.
This will be the biggest of the year for Carolina. Harvey, a third-round draft pick by the Angels, hasn't pitched since UNC's regional win against Mount St. Mary's on May 30.
The Tigers will start junior Blake Martin (5-3).
"They're a good hitting team, so obviously I've got to try to pound the zone and keep the ball down so they can't hit it out of the ballpark like they're capable of,'' Harvey said. "Try to throw strikes and keep them off-balance maybe more than usual."
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
