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The USC baseball team is one win away from its first appearance in the 2026 Men's College World Series in 25 years.
The Trojans are coming off of a 9-5 victory against No. 5 seed North Carolina in Game 1 of the best-of-three series in the super regionals of the 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament.
After a sluggish start to the June 5 game, USC was able to shake off the nerves and jitters to produce timely hits on offense and get stops, defensively. The dynamic changed in the sixth inning as the Trojans trailed 5-2 and were in need of a momentum boost.
Dean Carpentier saved the day with his first-career grand slam in one of the biggest moments of his career. He gave the Trojans a 6-5 lead and the Trojans never looked back.
"We just got a good group of guys, we're all rooting for each other. We're here to win so that's what we're doing," Carpentier told ESPN in a postgame interview.
Carpentier is placed at the bottom of the batting order to keep the spirit alive and that's what he did.
"Coach Travis always tells us that the 7-8-9 (batting order) guys are the snipers, so we're coming out here sniping, putting on some runs and helping the offense keep going," he said.
The Trojans almost didn't make it this far. They were defeated by Texas State after a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth on May 29, but responded the next day with a 19-6 rout of Lamar University to save their season.
As fate would have it, a rematch between USC and Texas State was formed and this time it was the Trojans who plotted their revenge, thumping Texas State 15-4. USC advanced to the super regional after consecutive blowout victories against Texas A&M in back-to-back days, a 14-3 win on May 31 and then 8-1 on June 1.
USC (48-16) has won five consecutive games coming off their Game 1 victory against the Tar Heels (48-12-1). Their series continues Saturday, June 6 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
If necessary, a deciding Game 3 will be played on Sunday.
Here's everything you to need to know about USC vs. UNC, including predictions, where to watch and what time the game starts:
2026 NCAA Baseball tournament USC nabs comeback win vs. North Carolina on Dean Carpentier grand slam
Here's what sports experts are saying about the series between USC and North Carolina in the super regional round of the 2026 NCAA Baseball tournament.
North Carolina over USC – Craig Meyer
The Tar Heels cruised through regionals, and the Trojans maxed out with a Monday finish. With its combination of pitching, defense and offense, this UNC team is built for Omaha. USC is solid, but it hasn’t been able to consistently beat good teams this year. Winner: UNC (in three games). – Rodd Baxley wrote
Mason Edwards gives USC a legitimate advantage every time he takes the ball, but the Trojans are far more than a one-man pitching staff. Edwards anchors one of the nation’s best run-prevention units, a group that ranks third nationally in ERA and performed at a high level across virtually every meaningful pitching metric. That foundation has carried USC all season. If the offensive breakout the Trojans enjoyed in the College Station Regional is real, they suddenly become a much more dangerous team than their season-long offensive numbers suggest. – Jacob Rudner wrote
After the top two seeds went down, the Tar Heels are now the favorites to win the College World Series, and it’s easy to see why. They're one of the most well-rounded teams in the field. However, USC is the one team in the field that can match them on the mound, and the Trojans are even better statistically. – Doug Ziefel wrote
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM, as Friday, June 5.
North Carolina Tar Heels entered the 2026 NCAA baseball tournament as the No. 5 seed. To this point in the 2026 season, UNC has a 48-12-1 record.
The Trojans are 48-16 through the 2026 DI baseball season.
ESPN will air Game 2 of the best-of-three series in the Super Regional round of the 2026 DI Baseball Championship (Men's College World Series). Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a valid cable login) and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
First pitch for Game 2 of the Super Regional round of the MCWS is set for 2 p.m. ET on June 6 from Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC vs. North Carolina 2026 NCAA baseball tournament Game 2 analysis
Continue reading...
The Trojans are coming off of a 9-5 victory against No. 5 seed North Carolina in Game 1 of the best-of-three series in the super regionals of the 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament.
After a sluggish start to the June 5 game, USC was able to shake off the nerves and jitters to produce timely hits on offense and get stops, defensively. The dynamic changed in the sixth inning as the Trojans trailed 5-2 and were in need of a momentum boost.
Dean Carpentier saved the day with his first-career grand slam in one of the biggest moments of his career. He gave the Trojans a 6-5 lead and the Trojans never looked back.
"We just got a good group of guys, we're all rooting for each other. We're here to win so that's what we're doing," Carpentier told ESPN in a postgame interview.
Carpentier is placed at the bottom of the batting order to keep the spirit alive and that's what he did.
"Coach Travis always tells us that the 7-8-9 (batting order) guys are the snipers, so we're coming out here sniping, putting on some runs and helping the offense keep going," he said.
The Trojans almost didn't make it this far. They were defeated by Texas State after a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth on May 29, but responded the next day with a 19-6 rout of Lamar University to save their season.
As fate would have it, a rematch between USC and Texas State was formed and this time it was the Trojans who plotted their revenge, thumping Texas State 15-4. USC advanced to the super regional after consecutive blowout victories against Texas A&M in back-to-back days, a 14-3 win on May 31 and then 8-1 on June 1.
USC (48-16) has won five consecutive games coming off their Game 1 victory against the Tar Heels (48-12-1). Their series continues Saturday, June 6 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
If necessary, a deciding Game 3 will be played on Sunday.
Here's everything you to need to know about USC vs. UNC, including predictions, where to watch and what time the game starts:
2026 NCAA Baseball tournament USC nabs comeback win vs. North Carolina on Dean Carpentier grand slam
USC vs. UNC predictions
Here's what sports experts are saying about the series between USC and North Carolina in the super regional round of the 2026 NCAA Baseball tournament.
USA TODAY: North Carolina
North Carolina over USC – Craig Meyer
The Fayetteville Observer: North Carolina
The Tar Heels cruised through regionals, and the Trojans maxed out with a Monday finish. With its combination of pitching, defense and offense, this UNC team is built for Omaha. USC is solid, but it hasn’t been able to consistently beat good teams this year. Winner: UNC (in three games). – Rodd Baxley wrote
Baseball America: Southern California
Mason Edwards gives USC a legitimate advantage every time he takes the ball, but the Trojans are far more than a one-man pitching staff. Edwards anchors one of the nation’s best run-prevention units, a group that ranks third nationally in ERA and performed at a high level across virtually every meaningful pitching metric. That foundation has carried USC all season. If the offensive breakout the Trojans enjoyed in the College Station Regional is real, they suddenly become a much more dangerous team than their season-long offensive numbers suggest. – Jacob Rudner wrote
Action Network: Southern California
After the top two seeds went down, the Tar Heels are now the favorites to win the College World Series, and it’s easy to see why. They're one of the most well-rounded teams in the field. However, USC is the one team in the field that can match them on the mound, and the Trojans are even better statistically. – Doug Ziefel wrote
USC vs. UNC betting odds
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM, as Friday, June 5.
- Spread: USC +1.5 (+100); UNC -1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under: 10.5 (Over/Under -115)
- Moneyline: USC +150; UNC -200
What is the UNC Tar Heels baseball record?
North Carolina Tar Heels entered the 2026 NCAA baseball tournament as the No. 5 seed. To this point in the 2026 season, UNC has a 48-12-1 record.
What is the USC Trojan baseball record?
The Trojans are 48-16 through the 2026 DI baseball season.
What TV channel is USC vs UNC baseball on tonight?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
ESPN will air Game 2 of the best-of-three series in the Super Regional round of the 2026 DI Baseball Championship (Men's College World Series). Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a valid cable login) and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
UNC vs USC baseball start time in MCWS Super Regionals tonight
- Date: Saturday, June 6
- Time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT
- Location: Boshamer Stadium (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
First pitch for Game 2 of the Super Regional round of the MCWS is set for 2 p.m. ET on June 6 from Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC vs. North Carolina 2026 NCAA baseball tournament Game 2 analysis
Continue reading...
