The atmosphere in Chapel Hill was electric as North Carolina faced USC in the second game of the NCAA Super Regional, a matchup that would decide which team advances to the next round.
Jason DeCaro, the Tar Heels’ right‑hander, turned in a near‑perfect outing, surrendering only two hits while striking out eight batters over nine innings. His command was evident as he kept the Trojans’ lineup off balance throughout.
USC’s Grant Govel matched DeCaro with a solid effort of his own, throwing 83 pitches across five innings, but the Tar Heels’ defense held firm, preventing any runs from crossing the plate.
The scoring opened in the sixth when Erik Paulsen launched a 339‑foot home run, giving North Carolina a 1‑0 lead. Two more runs trickled in on sacrifice flies in the sixth and seventh innings, extending the margin to 4‑0.
Implications of a Pitcher’s Duel
With the series now tied 1‑1, both teams head back to the mound for a winner‑take‑all Game 3 on Sunday. For North Carolina, the victory not only fuels their championship hopes but also brings them one step closer to ending a 25‑year College World Series drought.