Tar Heels Rally in Omaha
North Carolina erased an early deficit to beat West Virginia 5-2 in a pivotal Men’s College World Series contest on Tuesday, improving to 2-0 in the series and positioning themselves for a potential showdown with the survivor of the West Virginia‑Troy elimination game on Wednesday.
The decisive moment came in the seventh inning when Gavin Gallaher launched a two‑run triple that flipped the lead, a swing that earned him the nickname “Mr. Clutch” from teammate Scott Forbes, who has long praised the outfielder’s penchant for delivering in high‑pressure spots.
Forbes, who watched the play from the dugout, highlighted the team’s newfound looseness, noting that the players are simply trying to enjoy the moment while capitalizing on the opportunities presented to them.
West Virginia’s coach Steve Sabins acknowledged the uphill battle but remained hopeful, emphasizing that his squad will keep fighting despite the steep odds.
Relief efforts were anchored by Walker McDuffie, who entered in the fifth inning to replace starter Ryan Lynch, while Caden Glauber, the ACC Freshman of the Year, tossed 2 ⅓ innings of shutout relief in a previous outing and struck out two batters to record his fifth save of the tournament.
Looking Ahead
The Tar Heels now turn their attention to the upcoming elimination game, where they will meet either West Virginia or Troy in a contest that could determine the next opponent in the championship bracket. The atmosphere in the locker room, according to Gallaher, is buoyed by the supportive presence of Forbes, who continues to coach third base with an upbeat demeanor.