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Deadspin | Cardnals’ 4-run 5th denies Tigers 3-game sweep  Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera (48) drives in a pair of runs on a single against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images   Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals topped the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, on Sunday night.  Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save.  Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit. Spencer Torkelson reached base four times.  Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.  Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday after Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Verlander was scheduled on Sunday to make his first start at Detroit’s Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since the 2017 season.  Detroit had a baserunner in the first inning and two more in the second. Leahy got out of the latter jam by inducing a Javier Baez groundout.   Leahy wasn’t as fortunate in the third. Colt Keith led off with a single. Two outs later, Carpenter hit a majestic shot over the center field wall for his second long ball in as many games.  St. Louis grabbed the lead in the fifth. Nolan Gorman led off with a single and Thomas Saggese walked. After a fielder’s choice, Pages smacked a game-tying RBI single to end Montero’s night.   Enmanual De Jesus replaced him and Victor Scott executed a squeeze bunt to tie the game. De Jesus’ errant throw put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Herrera lined a single to right to knock in both runners for a 4-2 lead.  The Tigers cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3 in the sixth. Reliever George Soriano issued walks to Dillon Dingler and Torkelson sandwiching a Parker Meadows single. Baez then hit a sacrifice fly.  St. Louis scored a run in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Herrera walked. One out later, Jordan Walker walked to load the bases and Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardnals #4run #5th #denies #Tigers #3game #sweep

Deadspin | Cardnals’ 4-run 5th denies Tigers 3-game sweep
Deadspin | Cardnals’ 4-run 5th denies Tigers 3-game sweep  Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera (48) drives in a pair of runs on a single against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images   Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals topped the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, on Sunday night.  Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save.  Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit. Spencer Torkelson reached base four times.  Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.  Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday after Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Verlander was scheduled on Sunday to make his first start at Detroit’s Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since the 2017 season.  Detroit had a baserunner in the first inning and two more in the second. Leahy got out of the latter jam by inducing a Javier Baez groundout.   Leahy wasn’t as fortunate in the third. Colt Keith led off with a single. Two outs later, Carpenter hit a majestic shot over the center field wall for his second long ball in as many games.  St. Louis grabbed the lead in the fifth. Nolan Gorman led off with a single and Thomas Saggese walked. After a fielder’s choice, Pages smacked a game-tying RBI single to end Montero’s night.   Enmanual De Jesus replaced him and Victor Scott executed a squeeze bunt to tie the game. De Jesus’ errant throw put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Herrera lined a single to right to knock in both runners for a 4-2 lead.  The Tigers cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3 in the sixth. Reliever George Soriano issued walks to Dillon Dingler and Torkelson sandwiching a Parker Meadows single. Baez then hit a sacrifice fly.  St. Louis scored a run in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Herrera walked. One out later, Jordan Walker walked to load the bases and Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardnals #4run #5th #denies #Tigers #3game #sweepApr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera (48) drives in a pair of runs on a single against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals topped the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, on Sunday night.

Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save.

Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit. Spencer Torkelson reached base four times.

Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday after Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Verlander was scheduled on Sunday to make his first start at Detroit’s Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since the 2017 season.


Detroit had a baserunner in the first inning and two more in the second. Leahy got out of the latter jam by inducing a Javier Baez groundout.

Leahy wasn’t as fortunate in the third. Colt Keith led off with a single. Two outs later, Carpenter hit a majestic shot over the center field wall for his second long ball in as many games.

St. Louis grabbed the lead in the fifth. Nolan Gorman led off with a single and Thomas Saggese walked. After a fielder’s choice, Pages smacked a game-tying RBI single to end Montero’s night.

Enmanual De Jesus replaced him and Victor Scott executed a squeeze bunt to tie the game. De Jesus’ errant throw put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Herrera lined a single to right to knock in both runners for a 4-2 lead.

The Tigers cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3 in the sixth. Reliever George Soriano issued walks to Dillon Dingler and Torkelson sandwiching a Parker Meadows single. Baez then hit a sacrifice fly.

St. Louis scored a run in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Herrera walked. One out later, Jordan Walker walked to load the bases and Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardnals #4run #5th #denies #Tigers #3game #sweep

Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera (48) drives in a pair of runs on a single against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals topped the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, on Sunday night.

Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save.

Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit. Spencer Torkelson reached base four times.

Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday after Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Verlander was scheduled on Sunday to make his first start at Detroit’s Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since the 2017 season.

Detroit had a baserunner in the first inning and two more in the second. Leahy got out of the latter jam by inducing a Javier Baez groundout.

Leahy wasn’t as fortunate in the third. Colt Keith led off with a single. Two outs later, Carpenter hit a majestic shot over the center field wall for his second long ball in as many games.

St. Louis grabbed the lead in the fifth. Nolan Gorman led off with a single and Thomas Saggese walked. After a fielder’s choice, Pages smacked a game-tying RBI single to end Montero’s night.

Enmanual De Jesus replaced him and Victor Scott executed a squeeze bunt to tie the game. De Jesus’ errant throw put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Herrera lined a single to right to knock in both runners for a 4-2 lead.

The Tigers cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3 in the sixth. Reliever George Soriano issued walks to Dillon Dingler and Torkelson sandwiching a Parker Meadows single. Baez then hit a sacrifice fly.

St. Louis scored a run in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Herrera walked. One out later, Jordan Walker walked to load the bases and Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Cardnals #4run #5th #denies #Tigers #3game #sweep

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14 defeats in 22 matches: Does CSK have a captaincy conundrum or will its ethos prevail? <div id="content-body-70829140" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Chennai Super Kings has rarely been a franchise that reacts in haste. Its identity has been built as much on continuity as on success, and, just as importantly, on the assurance of steady starts to a season.</p><p>Gaikwad’s tenure as captain is still in its early stages, yet the numbers are beginning to accumulate in a way that cannot be ignored. Fourteen defeats against eight wins is not, in itself, a definitive verdict, but it is enough to shift the conversation from patience to proof. The added weight of a third consecutive loss this season, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday, only sharpens that shift.</p><p>To reduce this moment to a simple question of leadership, however, would be misleading. Gaikwad has stepped into a role long defined by MS Dhoni, whose influence on Chennai’s tactical and emotional rhythms remains deeply embedded. What he inherits is not merely a team, but a system that, for over a decade, functioned with a rare degree of certainty.</p><p><b>RELATED | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ruturaj-gaikwad-csk-vs-rcb-loss-ipl-2026-blame-openers-samson-runs-news/article70827763.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">This loss is on me: CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad after heavy loss to RCB</a></b></p><p>There is also a more immediate, less discussed constraint. Chennai’s most recent auction cycle has left it with a squad that, by its own standards, appears uneven. The bowling resources, in particular, lack the variety and control that once allowed captains to operate with foresight rather than improvisation. The batting, until recently, has leaned heavily on a narrow core. In that context, Gaikwad is not so much shaping games as responding to their drift.</p><p>There is, then, a temptation to read leadership through the arc of Gaikwad’s batting career. His beginnings as a player were modest to the point of concern, two ducks in the first three games that might have unsettled a less assured franchise. Chennai persisted, and the returns were emphatic. Whether leadership invites the same patience, however, is less straightforward. Batting is individual and recoverable. Leadership, by contrast, plays out in real time and carries collective consequences.</p><p>Early signs this season have not been especially reassuring. Chennai’s familiar issues have resurfaced, hesitant starts, bowling changes that appear reactive, and an absence of the anticipatory sharpness that was once second nature under Dhoni. Yet, it is equally worth asking how much of that is within the captain’s control. When resources are limited, even sound decisions can appear inadequate.</p><p>It is in this context that alternatives acquire relevance. Sanju Samson offers a contrasting profile, a captain with prior experience and a clearer tactical imprint. The argument in his favour is not merely about results, but about readiness. With Dhoni nearing the end of his playing career, Chennai must soon plan for life without its long-time on-field axis. Managing that transition proactively, rather than reactively, has its own logic.</p><p><b>WATCH: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/videos/watch-video-stephen-fleming-poor-execution-csk-three-losses-rcb-ipl-2026-points-table/article70829004.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fleming blames poor execution as CSK slumps to third successive defeat</a></b></p><p>Yet, to move now would be to risk misdiagnosing the problem. Chennai has, over the years, resisted the impulse to chase immediate fixes, choosing instead to invest in continuity even at the cost of short-term setbacks. If the current dip is as much about squad construction as it is about captaincy, then changing the latter without addressing the former may offer only the illusion of progress.</p><p>The choice, then, is less about a comparison of individuals and more about institutional clarity. If leadership is something Chennai believes can be shaped over time, Gaikwad remains a project worth persisting with, particularly given the constraints he is operating under. If, however, this juncture is viewed as too significant to be entrusted to a work in progress, recalibration becomes difficult to avoid.</p><p>For now, the evidence is no longer easy to dismiss. But nor is it complete. And in that tension lies Chennai’s dilemma: whether to trust its method once more, or to accept that even the most stable systems must, at times, evolve.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 06, 2026</p></div> #defeats #matches #CSK #captaincy #conundrum #ethos #prevail

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VIDEO | Hard work and self-belief helped me elevate my game, says Padikkal <div id="content-body-70829018" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Devdutt Padikkal said a lot of hard work over the last few seasons has helped elevate his game, while also crediting the franchise management for his growth as a batter.</p><p>Padikkal struck a stroke-filled 50 off 29 balls as the defending champion piled up a daunting 250 for 3 against the Chennai Super Kings.</p><p>“Simply put it is a lot of hard work and a lot of self-belief that’s helped me get there. It wasn’t easy initially to make that change because it was something that I had to really change from the foundation that I have in terms of the type of cricket I wanted to play growing up, that’s a change that I have made consciously,” he told the media after the game.</p><p>“RCB and the whole support staff have been really great and have been guiding me in the right way,” he added.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 06, 2026</p></div> #VIDEO #Hard #work #selfbelief #helped #elevate #game #Padikkal

Ten days ago, North Carolina trailed USC 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 3 of its Super Regional against USC. Facing the end of their season, the Tar Heels rallied for three runs in the final two innings to book their spot in the Men’s College World Series, with a double off the bat of Owen Hull delivering the win in walk-off fashion.

And now, Hull and the Tar Heels are headed to the Finals after a 12-7 win over West Virginia.

North Carolina took on West Virginia in Omaha on Wednesday, needing a win to punch their ticket to the Finals while the Mountaineers needed a victory to force a winner-take-all rematch on Thursday. But Hull and the Tar Heels jumped out to a lead in the top of the first, starting with yet another extra-base hit from the UNC outfielder:

Hull later came around to score after stealing third, and advancing home on an error.

After West Virginia pulled one back in the bottom of the first, the Tar Heels broke the game open in the third and fourth innings. North Carolina pushed three runs across the dish in the top of the third, with the big blow a triple off the bat of Cooper Nicholson:

Then in the fourth UNC tacked on three more runs, and it was Hull again providing some of the offense, with this double down the left-field line to bring Carter French around to score:

A Gavin Gallaher single followed, bringing Hull and Jake Schnaffer home to make it 8-1 Tar Heels in the top of the fourth.

As the North Carolina offense was enjoying the afternoon, Jackson Rose was dealing on the bump. Folger Boaz got the start, but UNC turned to the freshman lefty to start the second inning.

Early in his outing Rose relied on his fastball and slider, before he started mixing in more of his curveball. Where Rose was truly impressive was with his slider, as well as how he worked his slider and fastball inside to hitters, preventing them from getting their hands extended to barrel up pitches. He needed just six pitches to get through the second, 13 to get through the third, 14 through the fourth, and just eight to get through the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth, the Tar Heels got another extra-base hit, as Hull laced a triple down the right-field line. That made him the first UNC player with a four-hit game at the MCWS since 2011, and Hull came around to score on another single from Gallaher to make it 9-1.

For Gallaher, who finally broke through with his first hit in two trips to Omaha earlier this week, it was his 32rd RBI in 25 career NCAA tournament games, the most among active players.

Following a stolen base, an Erik Paulsen single brought home Gallaher to make it 10-1, and the rout appeared on.

But the Mountaineers would not go down that easily.

Rose finally got into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth, walking the bases loaded after giving up a pair of singles. That’s when Scott Forbes came out of the North Carolina dugout to summon Matthew Matthijs out of the pen, ending Rose’s day after 58 pitches. He needed just one pitch to end the inning, as Brock Wills lined out to Gallaher at second, who flipped to Schnaffer for the double play.

UNC tacked on two more runs in the seventh to make the score 12-1, those 12 runs a new single-game record for the Tar Heels in a Men’s College World Series game.

West Virginia made some noise in the bottom of the seventh, chasing Matthijs as they scored four runs to cause some stirring from those wearing Carolina Blue. That’s when Forbes summoned Caden Glauber, the freshman reliever with an 11-0 record on the year, and who entered play with 23 strikeouts in just over 14 innings of work in the NCAA tournament.

But a passed ball brought another run home, cutting UNC’s lead to 12-6. West Virginia fans were in full voice by that point, while the Carolina fans were looking for the Pepto Bismol.

After a long battle, Glauber finally got Ben Lumsden looking to end the inning.

However, the Mountaineers, refused to quit, as a Gavin Kelly solo shot in the bottom of the eighth pulled West Virginia within five.

But that would be as close as they got.

Glauber struck out Sean Smith to start the ninth, and after giving up a single to Matthew Graveline, he got a popup from shortstop Matt Ineich to push West Virginia to their final out. Willis singled to right, bringing Lumsden to the plate again, but a flyball to right ended the game, and touched off the celebrations for those in Carolina Blue.

For Hull, the UNC outfielder heads to the MCWS Finals red hot. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.

“We’re getting it done in a lot of different ways,” said Gallaher after the win to ESPN.

“I’m just so thankful to be here.”

UNC will face either Oklahoma or Georgia in the Finals starting Saturday night. Those two teams face off on Wednesday night, with Georgia needing a win to force a winner-take-all rematch on Wednesday. A win from the Sooners would punch their ticket to the Finals against the Tar Heels.

#Owen #Hull #UNC #knock #West #Virginia #advance #MCWS #Finals">Owen Hull and UNC knock off West Virginia to advance to the MCWS Finals  Ten days ago, North Carolina trailed USC 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 3 of its Super Regional against USC. Facing the end of their season, the Tar Heels rallied for three runs in the final two innings to book their spot in the Men’s College World Series, with a double off the bat of Owen Hull delivering the win in walk-off fashion.And now, Hull and the Tar Heels are headed to the Finals after a 12-7 win over West Virginia.North Carolina took on West Virginia in Omaha on Wednesday, needing a win to punch their ticket to the Finals while the Mountaineers needed a victory to force a winner-take-all rematch on Thursday. But Hull and the Tar Heels jumped out to a lead in the top of the first, starting with yet another extra-base hit from the UNC outfielder:Hull later came around to score after stealing third, and advancing home on an error.After West Virginia pulled one back in the bottom of the first, the Tar Heels broke the game open in the third and fourth innings. North Carolina pushed three runs across the dish in the top of the third, with the big blow a triple off the bat of Cooper Nicholson:Then in the fourth UNC tacked on three more runs, and it was Hull again providing some of the offense, with this double down the left-field line to bring Carter French around to score:A Gavin Gallaher single followed, bringing Hull and Jake Schnaffer home to make it 8-1 Tar Heels in the top of the fourth.As the North Carolina offense was enjoying the afternoon, Jackson Rose was dealing on the bump. Folger Boaz got the start, but UNC turned to the freshman lefty to start the second inning.Early in his outing Rose relied on his fastball and slider, before he started mixing in more of his curveball. Where Rose was truly impressive was with his slider, as well as how he worked his slider and fastball inside to hitters, preventing them from getting their hands extended to barrel up pitches. He needed just six pitches to get through the second, 13 to get through the third, 14 through the fourth, and just eight to get through the fifth inning.In the top of the sixth, the Tar Heels got another extra-base hit, as Hull laced a triple down the right-field line. That made him the first UNC player with a four-hit game at the MCWS since 2011, and Hull came around to score on another single from Gallaher to make it 9-1.For Gallaher, who finally broke through with his first hit in two trips to Omaha earlier this week, it was his 32rd RBI in 25 career NCAA tournament games, the most among active players.Following a stolen base, an Erik Paulsen single brought home Gallaher to make it 10-1, and the rout appeared on.But the Mountaineers would not go down that easily.Rose finally got into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth, walking the bases loaded after giving up a pair of singles. That’s when Scott Forbes came out of the North Carolina dugout to summon Matthew Matthijs out of the pen, ending Rose’s day after 58 pitches. He needed just one pitch to end the inning, as Brock Wills lined out to Gallaher at second, who flipped to Schnaffer for the double play.UNC tacked on two more runs in the seventh to make the score 12-1, those 12 runs a new single-game record for the Tar Heels in a Men’s College World Series game.West Virginia made some noise in the bottom of the seventh, chasing Matthijs as they scored four runs to cause some stirring from those wearing Carolina Blue. That’s when Forbes summoned Caden Glauber, the freshman reliever with an 11-0 record on the year, and who entered play with 23 strikeouts in just over 14 innings of work in the NCAA tournament.But a passed ball brought another run home, cutting UNC’s lead to 12-6. West Virginia fans were in full voice by that point, while the Carolina fans were looking for the Pepto Bismol.After a long battle, Glauber finally got Ben Lumsden looking to end the inning.However, the Mountaineers, refused to quit, as a Gavin Kelly solo shot in the bottom of the eighth pulled West Virginia within five.But that would be as close as they got.Glauber struck out Sean Smith to start the ninth, and after giving up a single to Matthew Graveline, he got a popup from shortstop Matt Ineich to push West Virginia to their final out. Willis singled to right, bringing Lumsden to the plate again, but a flyball to right ended the game, and touched off the celebrations for those in Carolina Blue.For Hull, the UNC outfielder heads to the MCWS Finals red hot. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.“We’re getting it done in a lot of different ways,” said Gallaher after the win to ESPN.“I’m just so thankful to be here.”UNC will face either Oklahoma or Georgia in the Finals starting Saturday night. Those two teams face off on Wednesday night, with Georgia needing a win to force a winner-take-all rematch on Wednesday. A win from the Sooners would punch their ticket to the Finals against the Tar Heels.  #Owen #Hull #UNC #knock #West #Virginia #advance #MCWS #Finals

rallied for three runs in the final two innings to book their spot in the Men’s College World Series, with a double off the bat of Owen Hull delivering the win in walk-off fashion.

And now, Hull and the Tar Heels are headed to the Finals after a 12-7 win over West Virginia.

North Carolina took on West Virginia in Omaha on Wednesday, needing a win to punch their ticket to the Finals while the Mountaineers needed a victory to force a winner-take-all rematch on Thursday. But Hull and the Tar Heels jumped out to a lead in the top of the first, starting with yet another extra-base hit from the UNC outfielder:

Hull later came around to score after stealing third, and advancing home on an error.

After West Virginia pulled one back in the bottom of the first, the Tar Heels broke the game open in the third and fourth innings. North Carolina pushed three runs across the dish in the top of the third, with the big blow a triple off the bat of Cooper Nicholson:

Then in the fourth UNC tacked on three more runs, and it was Hull again providing some of the offense, with this double down the left-field line to bring Carter French around to score:

A Gavin Gallaher single followed, bringing Hull and Jake Schnaffer home to make it 8-1 Tar Heels in the top of the fourth.

As the North Carolina offense was enjoying the afternoon, Jackson Rose was dealing on the bump. Folger Boaz got the start, but UNC turned to the freshman lefty to start the second inning.

Early in his outing Rose relied on his fastball and slider, before he started mixing in more of his curveball. Where Rose was truly impressive was with his slider, as well as how he worked his slider and fastball inside to hitters, preventing them from getting their hands extended to barrel up pitches. He needed just six pitches to get through the second, 13 to get through the third, 14 through the fourth, and just eight to get through the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth, the Tar Heels got another extra-base hit, as Hull laced a triple down the right-field line. That made him the first UNC player with a four-hit game at the MCWS since 2011, and Hull came around to score on another single from Gallaher to make it 9-1.

For Gallaher, who finally broke through with his first hit in two trips to Omaha earlier this week, it was his 32rd RBI in 25 career NCAA tournament games, the most among active players.

Following a stolen base, an Erik Paulsen single brought home Gallaher to make it 10-1, and the rout appeared on.

But the Mountaineers would not go down that easily.

Rose finally got into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth, walking the bases loaded after giving up a pair of singles. That’s when Scott Forbes came out of the North Carolina dugout to summon Matthew Matthijs out of the pen, ending Rose’s day after 58 pitches. He needed just one pitch to end the inning, as Brock Wills lined out to Gallaher at second, who flipped to Schnaffer for the double play.

UNC tacked on two more runs in the seventh to make the score 12-1, those 12 runs a new single-game record for the Tar Heels in a Men’s College World Series game.

West Virginia made some noise in the bottom of the seventh, chasing Matthijs as they scored four runs to cause some stirring from those wearing Carolina Blue. That’s when Forbes summoned Caden Glauber, the freshman reliever with an 11-0 record on the year, and who entered play with 23 strikeouts in just over 14 innings of work in the NCAA tournament.

But a passed ball brought another run home, cutting UNC’s lead to 12-6. West Virginia fans were in full voice by that point, while the Carolina fans were looking for the Pepto Bismol.

After a long battle, Glauber finally got Ben Lumsden looking to end the inning.

However, the Mountaineers, refused to quit, as a Gavin Kelly solo shot in the bottom of the eighth pulled West Virginia within five.

But that would be as close as they got.

Glauber struck out Sean Smith to start the ninth, and after giving up a single to Matthew Graveline, he got a popup from shortstop Matt Ineich to push West Virginia to their final out. Willis singled to right, bringing Lumsden to the plate again, but a flyball to right ended the game, and touched off the celebrations for those in Carolina Blue.

For Hull, the UNC outfielder heads to the MCWS Finals red hot. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.

“We’re getting it done in a lot of different ways,” said Gallaher after the win to ESPN.

“I’m just so thankful to be here.”

UNC will face either Oklahoma or Georgia in the Finals starting Saturday night. Those two teams face off on Wednesday night, with Georgia needing a win to force a winner-take-all rematch on Wednesday. A win from the Sooners would punch their ticket to the Finals against the Tar Heels.

#Owen #Hull #UNC #knock #West #Virginia #advance #MCWS #Finals">Owen Hull and UNC knock off West Virginia to advance to the MCWS Finals

Ten days ago, North Carolina trailed USC 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 3 of its Super Regional against USC. Facing the end of their season, the Tar Heels rallied for three runs in the final two innings to book their spot in the Men’s College World Series, with a double off the bat of Owen Hull delivering the win in walk-off fashion.

And now, Hull and the Tar Heels are headed to the Finals after a 12-7 win over West Virginia.

North Carolina took on West Virginia in Omaha on Wednesday, needing a win to punch their ticket to the Finals while the Mountaineers needed a victory to force a winner-take-all rematch on Thursday. But Hull and the Tar Heels jumped out to a lead in the top of the first, starting with yet another extra-base hit from the UNC outfielder:

Hull later came around to score after stealing third, and advancing home on an error.

After West Virginia pulled one back in the bottom of the first, the Tar Heels broke the game open in the third and fourth innings. North Carolina pushed three runs across the dish in the top of the third, with the big blow a triple off the bat of Cooper Nicholson:

Then in the fourth UNC tacked on three more runs, and it was Hull again providing some of the offense, with this double down the left-field line to bring Carter French around to score:

A Gavin Gallaher single followed, bringing Hull and Jake Schnaffer home to make it 8-1 Tar Heels in the top of the fourth.

As the North Carolina offense was enjoying the afternoon, Jackson Rose was dealing on the bump. Folger Boaz got the start, but UNC turned to the freshman lefty to start the second inning.

Early in his outing Rose relied on his fastball and slider, before he started mixing in more of his curveball. Where Rose was truly impressive was with his slider, as well as how he worked his slider and fastball inside to hitters, preventing them from getting their hands extended to barrel up pitches. He needed just six pitches to get through the second, 13 to get through the third, 14 through the fourth, and just eight to get through the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth, the Tar Heels got another extra-base hit, as Hull laced a triple down the right-field line. That made him the first UNC player with a four-hit game at the MCWS since 2011, and Hull came around to score on another single from Gallaher to make it 9-1.

For Gallaher, who finally broke through with his first hit in two trips to Omaha earlier this week, it was his 32rd RBI in 25 career NCAA tournament games, the most among active players.

Following a stolen base, an Erik Paulsen single brought home Gallaher to make it 10-1, and the rout appeared on.

But the Mountaineers would not go down that easily.

Rose finally got into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth, walking the bases loaded after giving up a pair of singles. That’s when Scott Forbes came out of the North Carolina dugout to summon Matthew Matthijs out of the pen, ending Rose’s day after 58 pitches. He needed just one pitch to end the inning, as Brock Wills lined out to Gallaher at second, who flipped to Schnaffer for the double play.

UNC tacked on two more runs in the seventh to make the score 12-1, those 12 runs a new single-game record for the Tar Heels in a Men’s College World Series game.

West Virginia made some noise in the bottom of the seventh, chasing Matthijs as they scored four runs to cause some stirring from those wearing Carolina Blue. That’s when Forbes summoned Caden Glauber, the freshman reliever with an 11-0 record on the year, and who entered play with 23 strikeouts in just over 14 innings of work in the NCAA tournament.

But a passed ball brought another run home, cutting UNC’s lead to 12-6. West Virginia fans were in full voice by that point, while the Carolina fans were looking for the Pepto Bismol.

After a long battle, Glauber finally got Ben Lumsden looking to end the inning.

However, the Mountaineers, refused to quit, as a Gavin Kelly solo shot in the bottom of the eighth pulled West Virginia within five.

But that would be as close as they got.

Glauber struck out Sean Smith to start the ninth, and after giving up a single to Matthew Graveline, he got a popup from shortstop Matt Ineich to push West Virginia to their final out. Willis singled to right, bringing Lumsden to the plate again, but a flyball to right ended the game, and touched off the celebrations for those in Carolina Blue.

For Hull, the UNC outfielder heads to the MCWS Finals red hot. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.

“We’re getting it done in a lot of different ways,” said Gallaher after the win to ESPN.

“I’m just so thankful to be here.”

UNC will face either Oklahoma or Georgia in the Finals starting Saturday night. Those two teams face off on Wednesday night, with Georgia needing a win to force a winner-take-all rematch on Wednesday. A win from the Sooners would punch their ticket to the Finals against the Tar Heels.

#Owen #Hull #UNC #knock #West #Virginia #advance #MCWS #Finals

Veteran stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modric were seen sporting a unique badge on the their kits during the opening round of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.

The world governing body has introduced this intiative to honour the greats of the game for their contributions to the game with customised ‘Legacy’ badges on the sleeve of their shirts.

Both Messi and Ronaldo, eight and five-time Ballon d’Or winners, respectively, became the first players to play in a sixth World Cup this summer.

Messi also led Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022. His archrival Ronaldo, 41, is aiming to win the World Cup for the first time with Portugal.

Modric, who won the 2018 Ballon d’Or after guiding Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018 and a third place finish in 2022.

Published on Jun 18, 2026

#badge #Ronaldo #Messi #Modrics #shirts #FIFA #World #Cup">What is the badge on Ronaldo, Messi and Modric’s shirts at FIFA World Cup 2026?  Veteran stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modric were seen sporting a unique badge on the their kits during the opening round of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.The world governing body has introduced this intiative to honour the greats of the game for their contributions to the game with customised ‘Legacy’ badges on the sleeve of their shirts.Both Messi and Ronaldo, eight and five-time Ballon d’Or winners, respectively, became the first players to play in a sixth World Cup this summer.Messi also led Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022. His archrival Ronaldo, 41, is aiming to win the World Cup for the first time with Portugal.Modric, who won the 2018 Ballon d’Or after guiding Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018 and a third place finish in 2022.Published on Jun 18, 2026  #badge #Ronaldo #Messi #Modrics #shirts #FIFA #World #Cup

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