North Carolina’s baseball team delivered a statement performance in the College World Series semifinals, routing West Virginia 12-7 and clinching a spot in the finals for the first time since 2007.
Early Onslaught Sets the Tone
The Tar Heels exploded for an 8-1 lead by the fourth inning, capitalizing on a series of extra-base hits and timely RBIs that left the Mountaineers scrambling.
Gavin Gallaher ignited the offense with an RBI single in the third, while Owen Hull’s two-run double in the first and a subsequent run-scoring single from Erik Paulsen quickly stretched the lead to 3-1.
A misplayed outfield ball set up Cooper Nicholson’s two-run hit, and Gallaher’s two-RBI single later in the third pushed the advantage to 5-1, establishing a commanding early margin.
Relief Pitching Locks It Down
Freshman reliever Jackson Rose entered the game and delivered 4 ⅓ scoreless innings, preserving the lead and stifling West Virginia’s comeback attempts.
Despite a late surge that produced five runs in the seventh, the Mountaineers could only trim the deficit to 12-6 before Carter French’s triple and subsequent scoring extended the cushion to 12-1.
The rally featured an RBI triple from Gavin Kelly, run-scoring singles from Matthew Graveline and Matt Ineich, and a solo homer by Kelly in the eighth, but the Tar Heels’ early lead proved insurmountable.
Awaiting the Champion of Oklahoma and Georgia
North Carolina will now meet the winner of the Oklahoma-Georgia matchup in the championship series, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.
The victory underscores the team’s depth, blending veteran power from Gallaher, Hull and Paulsen with the poise of a freshman bullpen arm, and sets the stage for a potential title run.