Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent filed their live dispatch from Charles Schwab Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, as the 2026 College World Series opened with a showdown between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Ole Miss.
A decisive eighth‑inning rally
The Tar Heels surged ahead 6‑2 after a three‑run homer by sophomore Colin Hynek, who sent the ball soaring into the right‑field seats, turning a tight contest into a comfortable lead.
UNC’s offense continued to press, adding further runs that underscored a season‑long pattern of explosive late‑inning performances.
A season of precision
The win lifted North Carolina to a 46‑0 record whenever they lead after the eighth inning, and to a 21‑3 mark when they hit two or more home runs, figures that have become hallmarks of their disciplined hitting approach.
With the victory, the Tar Heels now sit at 46‑3 overall in games where they hold a lead after the eighth, a statistic that bodes well for their championship aspirations.