North Carolina Rallies Past USC, Earns Trip to College World Series

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina defeated USC 4-3 on June 7, 2026, in the deciding game of the NCAA Super Regional at Boshamer Stadium. The victory secures UNC’s 13th trip to the Men’s College World Series in Omaha.

Game Recap

UNC trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the ninth inning.

Owen Hull delivered the winning run with a single into the left-center field gap. Hull also recorded three doubles and drove in UNC’s only run through the first seven innings.

“I have no words to describe it,” Hull said. “I’m out here having as much fun as I can. I love this team so much.”

USC starter Andrew Johnson pitched 7.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on 99 pitches. UNC starter Caden Glauber struck out a career-high 11 batters in 7.1 innings, allowing three runs.

USC took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a balk by Glauber. Hull’s RBI double in the third tied the game at 1-1. USC retook the lead on solo home runs by Kevin Takeuchi (fourth inning) and Andrew Lamb (fifth inning).

UNC cut the deficit to 3-2 in the eighth inning on an RBI double by Macon Winslow, ending Johnson’s outing.

In the ninth, Cooper Nicholson walked, Carter French singled, and Jake Schaffner tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Gavin Gallaher walked, moving French to second, before Hull’s walk-off hit.

USC had an opportunity to end the inning earlier when Hull popped a foul ball that was not caught.

Series Background

UNC dropped the opening game of the series before winning the next two. This is UNC’s ninth College World Series appearance since 2006 and second in the last three seasons. The team won 50 games for the first time since 2013.

They will face Ole Miss in Omaha next week, with time to be determined.

Postgame Reactions

Head coach Scott Forbes described the game as “one of the most special games I’ve been a part of at Boshamer Stadium.”

USC head coach Andy Stankiewicz praised Johnson’s effort, noting he “can’t tell you he feels great, because he’s pitched a lot.”

Glauber said he was “obviously a little nervous” but excited to start, adding, “There’s no other team I want to pitch for. This team has your back.”