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The UNC baseball team relies on its deep pitching staff to win most of its games. The Diamond Heels also have clutch hitters scattered throughout their batting order.
Both proved the case in North Carolina's College World Series-opening, 6-2 win over Ole Miss on Friday night at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
UNC (51-12-1) ace Jason DeCaro fell just one batter short of seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out nine Rebels (41-22). Caden Glauber delivered another memorable postseason performance, this time in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings of 3-hit baseball.
Now, the Diamond Heels turn their attention to West Virginia on Sunday evening for a 6 p.m. first pitch. The Mountaineers (46-15) won their sixth-consecutive game on Friday, opening the CWS slate with a come-from-behind, 7-5 win against Cinderella story Troy.
Fans might remember the last matchup between UNC and West Virginia, when both programs played in the Chapel Hill Super Regional. The Diamond Heels won both games, opening with a close, 8-6 win, before escaping from a 2-1 pitcher's duel in Game 2.
North Carolina took full advantage of its limited opportunities against a stellar Ole Miss bullpen on Friday, scoring six runs on just five hits. The Mountaineers had no trouble hitting the Trojans' pitching staff, collecting nine runs on seven hits, including a 4-RBI day from 9-hole hitter Tyrus Hall.
As you prepare to watch Sunday's CWS nightcap, keep reading below for this can't-miss preview with broadcast information, UNC's key to victory, picks and players to watch from both teams.
TV Channel: ESPN
Time: Sunday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 84)
Website: WatchESPN
Start the scoring party early.
UNC won its 2026 CWS debut Friday, which is the most important result. The Diamond Heels didn't score until the sixth inning, though, but woke up their bats starting with Owen Hull's game-tying home run.
West Virginia starting pitcher Chansen Cole struggled on Friday, giving up four runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. The Mountaineers will roll a different starter out on Sunday, though.
If North Carolina scores early, its chance of advancing to Wednesday in the winner's bracket are very strong.
UNC and West Virginia both staged CWS-opening comebacks on Friday. The Mountaineers started their scoring party early and won with two eighth-inning runs, while the Diamond Heels scored all six of their runs in the sixth-eight innings.
North Carolina swept West Virginia in the 2024 Chapel Hill Super Regional, but that was two seasons ago. You can bet the Mountaineers want to avenge those losses, with Sunday the perfect opportunity to do so.
UNC utilized its two best pitchers in DeCaro and Glauber on Friday. Ryan Lynch has to respond with a big start on Sunday, while Walker McDuffie and Jackson Rose need to be ready out of the bullpen.
West Virginia rakes early, but the Diamond Heels stage yet another postseason comeback and win with late-inning magic.
Score prediction: UNC 8, West Virginia 6
Spread: UNC -1.5
Over/Under: 10.5 runs
Moneyline: West Virginia +138, UNC -1780
C Colin Hynek: 1-for-3, two runs scored, 3-run home run, one walk in Friday's 6-2 win over Ole Miss
LF Tyler Howe: 2-for-3, two runs scored, one walk in Friday's 6-2 win over Ole Miss
SP Ryan Lynch: 5-4 win-loss record, 4.22 earned run average, 1.42 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, 89 2/3 innings pitched, 16 starts
RP Walker McDuffie: 8-3, 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, six saves (leads UNC), 65 1/3 innings pitched, 36 appearances (leads team)
3B Tyrus Hall: 2-for-3, four runs batted in, one run scored during Friday's 7-5 win over Troy
1B Brodie Kessler: 2-for-4, two runs scored during Friday's 7-5 win over Troy
SP Maxx Yehl: 9-2, 2.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 105 strikeouts, 90 innings pitched, 17 starts, one complete game
RP Reese Bassinger: 4-3, 3.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 56 strikeouts, 55 2/3 innings pitched, 28 appearances (leads WVU)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: College World Series: UNC-WVU game preview, info, prediction, odds
Continue reading...
Both proved the case in North Carolina's College World Series-opening, 6-2 win over Ole Miss on Friday night at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
UNC (51-12-1) ace Jason DeCaro fell just one batter short of seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out nine Rebels (41-22). Caden Glauber delivered another memorable postseason performance, this time in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings of 3-hit baseball.
Now, the Diamond Heels turn their attention to West Virginia on Sunday evening for a 6 p.m. first pitch. The Mountaineers (46-15) won their sixth-consecutive game on Friday, opening the CWS slate with a come-from-behind, 7-5 win against Cinderella story Troy.
Fans might remember the last matchup between UNC and West Virginia, when both programs played in the Chapel Hill Super Regional. The Diamond Heels won both games, opening with a close, 8-6 win, before escaping from a 2-1 pitcher's duel in Game 2.
North Carolina took full advantage of its limited opportunities against a stellar Ole Miss bullpen on Friday, scoring six runs on just five hits. The Mountaineers had no trouble hitting the Trojans' pitching staff, collecting nine runs on seven hits, including a 4-RBI day from 9-hole hitter Tyrus Hall.
As you prepare to watch Sunday's CWS nightcap, keep reading below for this can't-miss preview with broadcast information, UNC's key to victory, picks and players to watch from both teams.
What channel is UNC-West Virginia CWS baseball on Sunday? Time, TV schedule, radio
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TV Channel: ESPN
Time: Sunday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 84)
Website: WatchESPN
UNC's Key to Victory
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Start the scoring party early.
UNC won its 2026 CWS debut Friday, which is the most important result. The Diamond Heels didn't score until the sixth inning, though, but woke up their bats starting with Owen Hull's game-tying home run.
West Virginia starting pitcher Chansen Cole struggled on Friday, giving up four runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. The Mountaineers will roll a different starter out on Sunday, though.
If North Carolina scores early, its chance of advancing to Wednesday in the winner's bracket are very strong.
UNC vs. West Virginia prediction, picks, odds
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UNC and West Virginia both staged CWS-opening comebacks on Friday. The Mountaineers started their scoring party early and won with two eighth-inning runs, while the Diamond Heels scored all six of their runs in the sixth-eight innings.
North Carolina swept West Virginia in the 2024 Chapel Hill Super Regional, but that was two seasons ago. You can bet the Mountaineers want to avenge those losses, with Sunday the perfect opportunity to do so.
UNC utilized its two best pitchers in DeCaro and Glauber on Friday. Ryan Lynch has to respond with a big start on Sunday, while Walker McDuffie and Jackson Rose need to be ready out of the bullpen.
West Virginia rakes early, but the Diamond Heels stage yet another postseason comeback and win with late-inning magic.
Score prediction: UNC 8, West Virginia 6
Spread: UNC -1.5
Over/Under: 10.5 runs
Moneyline: West Virginia +138, UNC -1780
Players to Watch from UNC
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C Colin Hynek: 1-for-3, two runs scored, 3-run home run, one walk in Friday's 6-2 win over Ole Miss
LF Tyler Howe: 2-for-3, two runs scored, one walk in Friday's 6-2 win over Ole Miss
SP Ryan Lynch: 5-4 win-loss record, 4.22 earned run average, 1.42 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, 89 2/3 innings pitched, 16 starts
RP Walker McDuffie: 8-3, 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, six saves (leads UNC), 65 1/3 innings pitched, 36 appearances (leads team)
Players to Watch from West Virginia
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3B Tyrus Hall: 2-for-3, four runs batted in, one run scored during Friday's 7-5 win over Troy
1B Brodie Kessler: 2-for-4, two runs scored during Friday's 7-5 win over Troy
SP Maxx Yehl: 9-2, 2.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 105 strikeouts, 90 innings pitched, 17 starts, one complete game
RP Reese Bassinger: 4-3, 3.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 56 strikeouts, 55 2/3 innings pitched, 28 appearances (leads WVU)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: College World Series: UNC-WVU game preview, info, prediction, odds
Continue reading...
