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What's college baseball without a little drama, right? Especially in the College World Series, which UNC is currently hunting for its first National Championship within.
Despite the Mountaineers scoring six runs between the seventh and eighth innings, the Diamond Heels built themselves a large enough lead early, winning 12-7 and advancing to their third CWS Finals in program history.
North Carolina makes its first trip to the Finals since 2007, when it lost to national powerhouse Oregon State for a second-straight season. UNC now awaits the winner of Oklahoma-Georgia. If the Sooners win Wednesday night, the Diamond Heels play them. If the Sooners lose Wednesday and win Thursday, or if the Bulldogs win twice, North Carolina faces the boys in red.
UNC set the tone early on Wednesday, scoring eight runs in the first four innings. Add four more between the sixth and seventh, the Diamond Heels expanded their lead to 12-1.
Facing elimination and needing to play a desperate brand of baseball, West Virginia added six quick runs. The Mountaineer pitching, which struggled throughout, shut North Carolina down in the ninth and gave its batters one final chance.
Caden Glauber worked around two singles in the final frame, ending the game and ensuing celebration with a right field fly ball. UNC can celebrate its first trip back to the Finals in 19 season, but the focus will quickly shift.
As you prepare for the CWS Finals, which start during Saturday primetime, keep reading below for our five takeaways from Wednesday's championship series-clinching victory.
When a team scores eight runs through the first four innings of a game, chances are that team wins. UNC looked well on the way to a decisive victory on Wednesday, starting with a pair of first-inning runs.
North Carolina's typically strong bullpen started faltering in the seventh, with Matthew Matthijs and Cameron Padgett giving up six combined runs.
The Diamond Heels already had 12 runs by this point, giving themselves much-needed breathing room, but those early runs proved crucial in a Finals-clinching win.
Gallaher, UNC's captain and starting second baseman, officially earned the "Mr. June" moniker from ESPN's broadcast team after Wednesday's huge victory.
Tar Heel Nation already knew about Gallaher's ability to produce on the greatest stage, highlighted by his 2024 walk-off vs. LIU in the Chapel Hill Regional.
On Wednesday, Gallaher recorded four hits in five at-bats, driving in a game-high four runs. Gallaher also scored twice.
Gallaher got North Carolina to the CWS finals. Now, he has a chance to deliver the most clutch moments of his collegiate career this weekend.
Schaffner set the tone early for UNC, drawing a leadoff walk in the first inning. Eight frames later, Schaffner had another walk, one hit and RBI each, plus three runs scored.
Hull tied Gallaher for a Diamond Heels-best four hits and Schaffner with three runs, while adding two RBIs to yet another crucial, postseason performance.
Schaffner also stole a base and is now hitting .352. Hull is mashing nearly .400, a rare feat this deep into college baseball season.
With Schaffner and Hull leading the offensive charge, North Carolina should continue feeling confident about its chances for that elusive, first CWS title in program history.
West Virginia started creeping back in the later innings, tagging an usually-reliable Matthijs for four runs and Padgett for another.
The Diamond Heels don't typically use Padgett, while Matthijs is struggling in 2026, just one season after an injury cut his 2025 short.
UNC's bullpen needs to be on its A-Game in the Finals, but fans should not be concerned about Wednesday's outlier.
The Diamond Heels earned every bit of their CWS Finals berth. After off days on Thursday and Friday, UNC continues its CWS quest on Saturday, June 20 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Georgia and Oklahoma will battle it out tonight at 7 p.m., with a possible Thursday game if the Dawgs win. The Sooners need just one more victory to reach the Finals.
North Carolina has the inside track to that elusive first championship. Can the Diamond Heels finally complete their goal?
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: College World Series: Five takeaways from UNC advancing to final round
Continue reading...
Despite the Mountaineers scoring six runs between the seventh and eighth innings, the Diamond Heels built themselves a large enough lead early, winning 12-7 and advancing to their third CWS Finals in program history.
North Carolina makes its first trip to the Finals since 2007, when it lost to national powerhouse Oregon State for a second-straight season. UNC now awaits the winner of Oklahoma-Georgia. If the Sooners win Wednesday night, the Diamond Heels play them. If the Sooners lose Wednesday and win Thursday, or if the Bulldogs win twice, North Carolina faces the boys in red.
UNC set the tone early on Wednesday, scoring eight runs in the first four innings. Add four more between the sixth and seventh, the Diamond Heels expanded their lead to 12-1.
Facing elimination and needing to play a desperate brand of baseball, West Virginia added six quick runs. The Mountaineer pitching, which struggled throughout, shut North Carolina down in the ninth and gave its batters one final chance.
Caden Glauber worked around two singles in the final frame, ending the game and ensuing celebration with a right field fly ball. UNC can celebrate its first trip back to the Finals in 19 season, but the focus will quickly shift.
As you prepare for the CWS Finals, which start during Saturday primetime, keep reading below for our five takeaways from Wednesday's championship series-clinching victory.
UNC won this game primarily due to early-inning production
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When a team scores eight runs through the first four innings of a game, chances are that team wins. UNC looked well on the way to a decisive victory on Wednesday, starting with a pair of first-inning runs.
North Carolina's typically strong bullpen started faltering in the seventh, with Matthew Matthijs and Cameron Padgett giving up six combined runs.
The Diamond Heels already had 12 runs by this point, giving themselves much-needed breathing room, but those early runs proved crucial in a Finals-clinching win.
Gavin Gallaher is the best postseason producer in UNC baseball history
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Gallaher, UNC's captain and starting second baseman, officially earned the "Mr. June" moniker from ESPN's broadcast team after Wednesday's huge victory.
Tar Heel Nation already knew about Gallaher's ability to produce on the greatest stage, highlighted by his 2024 walk-off vs. LIU in the Chapel Hill Regional.
On Wednesday, Gallaher recorded four hits in five at-bats, driving in a game-high four runs. Gallaher also scored twice.
Gallaher got North Carolina to the CWS finals. Now, he has a chance to deliver the most clutch moments of his collegiate career this weekend.
Jake Schaffner and Owen Hull are the country's best 1-2 punch
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Schaffner set the tone early for UNC, drawing a leadoff walk in the first inning. Eight frames later, Schaffner had another walk, one hit and RBI each, plus three runs scored.
Hull tied Gallaher for a Diamond Heels-best four hits and Schaffner with three runs, while adding two RBIs to yet another crucial, postseason performance.
Schaffner also stole a base and is now hitting .352. Hull is mashing nearly .400, a rare feat this deep into college baseball season.
With Schaffner and Hull leading the offensive charge, North Carolina should continue feeling confident about its chances for that elusive, first CWS title in program history.
Don't be concerned about the bullpen breakdown
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West Virginia started creeping back in the later innings, tagging an usually-reliable Matthijs for four runs and Padgett for another.
The Diamond Heels don't typically use Padgett, while Matthijs is struggling in 2026, just one season after an injury cut his 2025 short.
UNC's bullpen needs to be on its A-Game in the Finals, but fans should not be concerned about Wednesday's outlier.
Two days of rest will benefit North Carolina
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The Diamond Heels earned every bit of their CWS Finals berth. After off days on Thursday and Friday, UNC continues its CWS quest on Saturday, June 20 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Georgia and Oklahoma will battle it out tonight at 7 p.m., with a possible Thursday game if the Dawgs win. The Sooners need just one more victory to reach the Finals.
North Carolina has the inside track to that elusive first championship. Can the Diamond Heels finally complete their goal?
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: College World Series: Five takeaways from UNC advancing to final round
Continue reading...
