North Carolina righty Max Carlson celebrates a big defensive play in a win against East Carolina (Aaron Fitt)

Carlson’s Strong Return Bodes Well For Unbeaten UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Heading into this spring, there was plenty of reason to believe North Carolina would be a dramatically improved offensive club, particularly after the Tar Heels scrapped and clawed their way into the regional with a young roster that leaned heavily on freshmen a year ago. We were bullish on UNC’s offense after the fall, but questions lingered about its pitching staff.

Much would depend upon how well transfers Brandon Schaeffer, Connor Bovair and Shaddon Peavyhouse could adjust to the ACC, and perhaps most importantly, how quickly Max Carlson could return from the non-Tommy John elbow surgery[…]