Overview
- USC rallied from a 5-1 deficit in Game 1 when Dean Carpentier hit a sixth-inning grand slam that turned the contest and sparked a 9-5 Trojan win.
- North Carolina answered in Game 2 when Jason DeCaro threw a nine-inning shutout, allowing two hits, one walk and striking out eight while throwing 117 pitches to even the series.
- UNC’s offense in Game 2 included solo home runs by Colin Hynek and Erik Paulsen plus two sacrifice flies that provided the runs DeCaro needed.
- The Super Regional is tied 1-1 and will be decided Sunday by a winner-take-all Game 3 at Boshamer Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. local time.
- Coaches must weigh starter workloads and bullpen matchups—USC’s Grant Govel’s recent heavy usage and UNC’s reliance on relievers like Walker McDuffie are key factors to watch, and DeCaro’s performance also raises MLB Draft interest that could affect his availability.