UNC's Gallaher 'Speechless' Heading Into National Championship

Prior to the game, head coach Scott Forbes made a last-second change to the batting lineup. Gallaher was asked about what went into the switch.

• "I don’t really know, to be honest with you," Gallaher said. "I think that it’s a match-up thing. They had a righty start on the mound. But that’s a question for him. He just does what he feels is right and today it worked out."

Gallaher has been a part of this program for the last three seasons. During that time, North Carolina has come up just short of winning a national title. Gallaher explained how he feels knowing the Tar Heels are at the doorstep of accomplishing that.

• "I still think it really hasn’t set in yet," Gallaher said. "After the game, shook hands and just kind of walking around, looking up in the stands, looking at my family, just kind of speechless, to be honest."

• "Yeah, we were here in ’24, ran into two good teams, came close," Gallaher continued. "And then last year, we’re one inning away from being in Omaha again. So that really hurt. So, to be back here, win our first three games, be in the national championship, it’s something that, I mean, it’s truly amazing."

Those past experiences played a role in how this College World Series has unfolded for North Carolina. Gallaher elaborated on that point.

• "I think the experience was really good," Gallaher said. "Getting those at-bats, knowing what to expect with how the stadium plays. This year, it’s played quite the opposite that it did in ’24. The ball’s been flying."

• "But knowing like how the shadows work when they get to that 6:00 game. It’s been a lot easier to adjust this year, which has been really nice. And so just trying to take that experience, use it for myself, and also try to help out some of the other guys that haven’t been here before. And just it’s been easier to adapt this year."

Main Takeaways

North Carolina has had several standout performers throughout this postseason, and Gallaher may be the most consistent one. That was apparent again on Wednesday, as the junior second baseman went 4-of-5 from the plate, compiling four RBIs in the process.

The Tar Heels are one of the most complete teams in the country, evidenced by their run to the National Championship, and when the offense is humming, it is virtually impossible to beat them twice in a three-game series. What should concern opposing teams is that this team can recover at a moment's notice, and even when it appears the game is not going its way, North Carolina can flip the script on one play.

Nevertheless, North Carolina should feel confident about their chances of hoisting the trophy at the end of the season. The Tar Heels will face the Oklahoma Sooners in the National Championship, with Game 1 set for Saturday.