North Carolina’s baseball squad secured a 5‑2 victory over West Virginia in the College World Series, moving into the winner’s bracket and setting up a midweek clash with the survivor of the Troy‑West Virginia matchup.
The Tar Heels struck first, loading the bases in the opening inning before a walk and a groundout turned early pressure into a lead that they never surrendered.
Early Offensive Surge
Gavin Gallaher’s triple and Owen Hull’s single in the first inning gave North Carolina a cushion that they defended throughout the game.
Pitching Excellence
Starter Ryan Lynch limited West Virginia to two earned runs over 4 ⅔ innings, while reliever Walker McDuffie earned his ninth win after throwing 3 ⅔ scoreless frames. Closer Caden Glauber sealed the game with his fifth save, striking out both batters he faced.
Owen Hull expressed confidence in the team’s performance and readiness for future games, noting the collective belief within the clubhouse.
Caden Glauber praised the team’s confidence and highlighted the impact of Gavin Gallaher’s leadership, especially during the seventh inning, while Jake Schaffner added that simplifying the process would keep them prepared for the next contest.
The coaching staff and players also acknowledged the enthusiastic support from fans in Omaha, a factor they said helped fuel their momentum heading into the next game on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.