North Carolina Ends USC’s College World Series Bid with Walk-Off Victory
A ninth-inning rally capped by Owen Hull’s double eliminates the Trojans, who last reached the final in 2001.
North Carolina has defeated USC baseball in the NCAA super regionals, ending the Trojans’ bid to return to the Men’s College World Series for the first time since 2001. The victory sends the Tar Heels to compete for their program’s first national championship, joining West Virginia, Troy, Ole Miss, and Georgia in the upcoming tournament.
Entering the bottom of the ninth inning, USC held a one-run lead and had not trailed the Tar Heels during the contest. With one out recorded, North Carolina shortstop Jake Schaffner hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game, shifting the momentum before centre fielder Owen Hull hit a walk-off double to secure the win.
USC junior centre fielder Kevin Takeuchi made an attempt to catch Hull’s hit but was ultimately unable to reach the ball. The sequence concluded USC’s season, while North Carolina advances to Omaha for its first-ever national championship appearance.
Although the Trojans did not reach the Men’s College World Series, this season marked a significant milestone for the programme. USC made its super regional appearance for the first time since 2005, ending a long drought for a franchise that holds an NCAA-record 12 national championships, with the most recent title won in 1998.
The outcome leaves three super regionals still to be determined. Kansas will face Oklahoma, Alabama will play St. John, and Texas will take on Oregon, with the winners of those matchups earning the final spots in the tournament.
USC player Lopez expressed pride in the team’s performance before the series concluded. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Lopez described it as an honour to wear the Trojan brand and noted the significance of bringing the programme back to the super regionals.
Lopez stated that the team felt grateful and blessed to have reached this stage, highlighting the programme’s history and the promise shown by succeeding against top-tier opponents such as North Carolina and Texas A&M in high-stakes games.
