Semifinal Momentum
The Tar Heels, a squad that features players such as Colin Hynek, Tyrus Hall, Carter French, Jake Schaffner, Brodie Kresser, Gavin Gallaher, Owen Hull, Erik Paulsen, Cooper Nicholson and Armani Guzman, captured a 5‑2 win over West Virginia in the semifinals of the Men’s College World Series.
A three‑run burst in the seventh inning shifted the momentum, as West Virginia’s defensive errors opened the door for North Carolina’s hitters.
The rally was part of a pattern that has defined the Tar Heels’ tournament run; 23 of their 48 runs have come in the final four frames, and they have scored 14 runs across their previous three games, with twelve of those arriving in the sixth inning or later.
Second baseman Gavin Gallaher contributed a timely triple that drove in two runs, while catcher Colin Hynek reached on a fielding error and delivered a precise throw to nail a runner at home.
Armani Guzman, the West Virginia first baseman, went 2 for 3 at the plate, drew a walk and added an RBI, but his diving play to throw out a runner could not prevent the Tar Heels’ surge.
Overall, the team’s fielding rate sits at 98 percent with 45 errors recorded over the season, positioning them among the nation’s most reliable defenses, though the errors they did commit proved pivotal in this matchup.
The victory propels North Carolina into the next round where they will meet a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent, and the Tar Heels hope to translate this late‑inning resilience into a championship.