A Shutout That Keeps Hope Alive
North Carolina’s baseball team faced a must‑win situation in the Chapel Hill Super Regional after dropping the opener to USC, and the Tar Heels responded with a dominant performance that kept their national championship hopes alive.
Right‑hander Jason DeCaro delivered a complete‑game shutout, allowing just two hits while striking out eight and walking one. His 23 of 31 first‑pitch strikes helped him control the tempo, and he logged six innings for the first time since a late‑April start against Duke.
Coach Scott Forbes highlighted DeCaro’s dedication, noting the pitcher’s steady improvement after a stretch in which he surrendered 12 hits and six runs over his previous two outings. The effort marked the first time the Trojans had been held scoreless all season.
The offense clicked early, with Colin Hynek’s solo homer in the second inning opening the scoring. Owen Hull contributed three hits, while Gallaher added two, giving UNC a 4‑0 lead that DeCaro protected the rest of the game.
With the series tied 1‑1, Game 3 is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, a winner‑take‑all matchup that could send UNC to its 13th College World Series appearance and its first national title. USC, a program boasting a nation‑best 12 championships and 21 CWS berths, will look to extend its own legacy.