Hendrick Durham Auto Mall, an auto dealership that is very involved in and supportive of community affairs, wants to wish "good luck" to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and N.C. State baseball teams as they begin competition in the 2008 NCAA baseball tournament this weekend in Raleigh.

For the first time in history, both the Tar Heels and Wolfpack will serve as hosts for opening-round games at the same time. Both teams will be playing less than 20 miles from each other as baseball grabs the local summer spotlight like perhaps never before.

"I think it's great and really exciting that both teams are hosting," UNC coach Mike Fox told the News & Observer of Raleigh.

Said NCSU coach Elliott Avent: "Baseball in the Triangle has been so good for so many years, but I think this shows the attention and recognition is finally catching up with product."

The Tar Heels, ranked No. 2 in the nation and seeking their third straight trip to the College World Series, open tournament action Friday at 6 p.m. at USA Baseball's national training complex in Cary. Carolina has played all its home games this season in Cary while its on-campus facility, Boshamer Stadium, has undergone renovations.

For directions to the USA Baseball complex, click here.

The Wolfpack, meanwhile, also will play Friday, competing at Doak Field on the NCSU campus and helping to gain Raleigh more national baseball attention.

Pro baseball player Josh Hamilton already has brought attention to Raleigh as a baseball hotbed. A former Raleigh high-school standout, Hamilton has made the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine for how well he has overcome early minor-league struggles and drug addiction to become a star for the Texas Rangers.

Now, the Wolfpack can continue to bring baseball acclaim to Raleigh and give Triangle sports fans a chance to view summer as more than just the basketball off-season.

Another area team, Mount Oilive College, is playing for the 2008 NCAA Division II baseball championship.

Hendrick Durham Auto Mall, also a proud supporter of youth baseball in general and North Durham Little League in particular, wishes the Tar Heels and Wolfpack well in their quest to bring high-level baseball to Wake County and advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

All-session tickets to the games in Cary range from $35 to $60. Single-game sessions range from $7 to $12.

At NCSU, tournament books will cost from $30 to $60, single sessions $10 to $15.

Winners of the regionals will advance to the best-of-three Super Regional round June 6-9.

Labels: UNC, Tar Heels, N.C. State, Wolfpack, Mike Fox, Eliott Avent, NCAA baseball, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, Durham, College World Series, Josh Hamilton, North Durham Little League, Mount Olive College

Labels: Hendrick Chevrolet Competition, Hendrick Chevrolet State Baseball, Hendrick Chevrolet Tournament, Hendrick Chevrolet USA Baseball's, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Sports