The University of North Carolina’s baseball squad continued its dominant run in the 2026 Men’s College World Series, defeating West Virginia 5-2 in the Winners’ Bracket on Tuesday night. The game featured a blend of timely hitting, solid pitching, and a pair of costly errors that swung momentum in UNC’s favor.
UNC struck first in the opening inning, plating a crooked number thanks to a timely hit by Erik Paulsen and a RBI single from Cooper Nicholson. The early lead set the tone, but West Virginia answered back in the fourth, tying the contest at two.
Reliever Walker McDuffie earned the win after throwing 3 2/3 strong innings out of the bullpen, limiting the Mountaineers to just two runs while preserving the lead. Starter Ryan Lynch, despite not having his best command, kept the game even for UNC.
A Turning Point in the Seventh
The seventh inning proved decisive. West Virginia committed two errors that allowed UNC to extend its advantage. Gavin Gallaher took advantage of the miscues, launching a deep ball into the center‑field gap that scored two runs. Owen Hull followed with an RBI single that brought Gallaher home, pushing the Tar Heels ahead 5-2.
Closer Caden Glauber sealed the victory in the ninth, shutting down any rally attempt by the Mountaineers and preserving the final score.
Looking Ahead
With the win, UNC improves to 2-0 in the MCWS and now awaits its next opponent, scheduled for Wednesday. In the double‑elimination format, a single additional victory will guarantee a spot in the championship series. Meanwhile, West Virginia will drop to the losers’ bracket, where they are set to face Troy.