AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
The seventh inning stretch has a whole new meaning for North Carolina.
A major portion of UNC’sNorth Carolina’s postseason success has come in the later innings of games as the Tar Heels often stretched or took leads late in their NCAA Tournament games. That continued on Sunday night at Charles Schwab Stadium in Omaha.
Read more Carolina Hurricanes stifle Vegas to capture first Stanley Cup since 2006
No. 5 UNC advanced to the Men’s College World Series semifinals after a 5-2 win over No. 16 West Virginia, in which the Heels scored three runs in the seventh. The victory sets up a date at 2 p.m. Wednesday with unseeded Troy or a rematch against WVU.
If UNC wins Wednesday or in the “if necessary game” on Thursday, it will advance to the best-of-three Men’s College World Series championship series that begins on Saturday.
“My first year back here as pitching coach in 2006 — Coach Fox was in here after Robert Woodard’s complete game at Clemson — but we haven’t won that second game since then,” Carolina head coach Scott Forbes said. “Obviously, it feels great to win that game. I’m glad that I’ve been in that position. Maybe that can help me prepare and make sure that our guys don’t get too comfortable and understand that, ‘Hey, our goal is just to play really well on Wednesday.’ But I think I’ll sleep pretty good tonight after going 2-0, that’s for sure.”
Part of Sunday’s win was luck and preparation, but the Mountaineers were partially at fault for their own demise in this one.
West Virginia entered the game with 45 errors on the season, and its 98% fielding rate ranked No. 21 in the nation. Its defense was perfect in the past four games. Unfortunately, it could not keep the unblemished streak alive and defensive bobbles in the bottom of the seventh changed the trajectory of the game.
“When other teams make those mistakes, it’s important that you capitalize,” UNC second baseman Gavin Gallaher said. “When you get to this point in the season, you’re not going to get many chances like that. Fortunately, they did make those mistakes and we capitalized.”
Carolina catcher Colin Hynek stepped to the plate in the seventh inning after going 0 for 3 on his previous plate appearances. The score had been tied at 2-2 for three and a half innings. He made hard contact with the ball and reached on third baseman Tyrus Hall’s fielding error.
Right fielder Carter French then reached on a fielder’s choice. French should’ve been out when shortstop Jake Schaffner reached on a similar play, but both remained safe after an error from West Virginia’s Brodie Kresser.
Then, Gallaher stepped up once again. The junior found a gap in deep right center field for his third triple of the season — and the only extra base hit of the night — driving in two runs. Gallaher crossed home plate when center fielder Owen Hull added his second hit of the game to put the Tar Heels up three.
“Gavin Gallaher is the definition of a baseball player. Old school. Can play all over the field. Doesn’t care where he plays. He played two years at third. Tough position to learn. Moved over to second. Our middle infield,” Forbes said. “He’s been outstanding. We had him and Jake Schaffner at shortstop pretty much the whole fall. Told him he was playing second. He don’t care. He just wants to win.”
Entering its matchup on Sunday, the Tar Heels had scored 14 runs in its previous three games. Twelve came in the sixth inning or later. During the NCAA Tournament, 23 of its 48 runs have come in the final four frames.
Read more Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup, and their championship window is still wide open
UNC didn’t need long to get runners on base, and it didn’t take long to push a run across. The Tar Heels offense came out of the dugout aggressive at the plate. They loaded the bases after two hits, a fielder’s choice and hit by pitch.
First baseman Erik Paulsen drove in the first run with an RBI walk and the second crossed on third baseman Cooper Nicholson’s sacrifice groundout.
While UNC came away with the win, it had its fair share of challenges. West Virginia first baseman Armani Guzman presented plenty of problems for North Carolina at the plate and in the field. Guzman did just about everything, except for pitching, going 2 for 3 at the plate, with a walk and RBI. He put pressure on the Carolina defense in the third when he tried to steal third, but Carolina catcher Colin Hynek made the perfectly-timed throw to Nicholson for the force out.
“Hynek has been outstanding,” Forbes said. “He has got some clutch in him, and he knows how to make a big play offensively and defensively. That was a huge play.”
Guzman also made a diving play at first to throw out Hull. The infielder slid his right foot over the bag, while diving toward right field to snag the ball, while keeping his foot on base.
“I was just a little late getting into the bag because where I was playing,” Guzman said. “I just kind of reacted and tried to keep my foot on the bag while catching it. It turned out to be a really cool play.”
For the second game in a row, pitching was an underrated aspect of the matchup.
Ryan Lynch was shaky at times but still put together an overall solid outing. The sophomore played 4 2/3 innings, giving up five hits, two runs and striking out a pair. He also induced two groundouts that his defense turned into double plays.
Walker McDuffie replaced Lynch in the top of the fifth. He immediately recorded the inning-ending strikeout. McDuffie threw 3 2/3 frames and received credit for the win. The sophomore, now 9-3 on the season, allowed three hits and struck out four.
“Didn’t have a great postseason up to this point. He’d given up some big hits and some big moments, but credit to North Carolina for kind of sticking with their dude and trusting their guy,” West Virginia coach Steve Sabins said of McDuffie. “He’s a sophomore that kind of had some bumps and bruises throughout this postseason, but that’s what this thing is. It’s growth. North Carolina’s coaching staff’s incredible, what they do with their arms. They entrusted that kid in the biggest moment, and he responded really well for them.”
Rookie Caden Glauber picked up his fifth save of the year after entering in the ninth inning. He recorded two strikeouts to seal the victory. UNC moved to 27-0 when the freshman appears on the mound, and, according to ESPN, Glauber is the only Division I pitcher this season with 10 wins and five saves.
Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Maxx Yehl picked up his third loss of the year, but he played a key role in keeping West Virginia in the game. Yehl threw seven innings and recorded seven strikeouts, and at one point retired seven Tar Heels in a row.
Read more A ‘surreal’ night with ‘a cherry on top’ for Canes fans who have waited for years
This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 10:13 PM.