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Deadspin | Randy Vasquez, Padres eager to continue good fortune vs. Rockies  Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez (98) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images   The San Diego Padres started the season by dropping four of their first five games before getting on a roll.  The Padres have won 14 of their last 17 games, including a four-game home sweep of Colorado as part of an eight-game winning streak. The Rockies can exact some revenge when they host the Padres in the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday in Denver.  San Diego right-hander Randy Vasquez (1-0, 2.49 ERA) goes to the mound on Tuesday. Colorado has not named a starter for the series opener.  The Padres were off Monday while the Rockies dropped a 12-3 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers to end a four-game wraparound series.  Vasquez is making his second start of the season against Colorado and the eighth in his career. In his previous seven outings against the Rockies, he is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He allowed just one run and struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings on April 9 in San Diego.  While the Padres have piled up the wins since late March, there is another ongoing streak that could make history this week. Closer Mason Miller is close to breaking the club’s consecutive scoreless innings record held by Cla Meredith.  Miller’s streak of 32 2/3 scoreless innings is one behind Meredith, who established the mark from July 18 to Sept. 12, 2006.  If he doesn’t allow a run in his next full inning, he’ll also tie Chris Short for eighth place among relievers for the longest streak since 1961. Gregg Olson holds the record with 41 shutout innings from Aug 4, 1989, to May 4, 1990, with Baltimore.   “This season is off to a good start,” Miller told MLB.com. “I finished last season strong. The two aren’t necessarily connected.”  If he is to continue the streak on the road, he’ll have to do it on the high altitude of Denver or when San Diego plays Arizona in Mexico City on Saturday and Sunday.  Colorado may derail those plans after a confidence-building series against the Dodgers. Like the Padres, Los Angeles was rolling heading to Denver before the Rockies split the series.  There’s much more optimism in Colorado surrounding this season after losing 119 games in 2025. The Rockies shook up their roster, and some of the early returns are positive. Troy Johnston and TJ Rumfield have played well in their first year with the team, and Edouard Julien has been a catalyst when he’s in the lineup.  Julien had three hits in a 9-6 win over the Dodgers on Sunday and is batting .259 heading into this three-game series.  “Eddie’s been great for us since day one,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “We knew that he was going to be an on-base machine. That’s what he’s done in his career. The type of hitter he is, he takes walks, he swings at the balls in the strike zone. That’s what we like at the top.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Randy #Vasquez #Padres #eager #continue #good #fortune #Rockies

Deadspin | Randy Vasquez, Padres eager to continue good fortune vs. Rockies
Deadspin | Randy Vasquez, Padres eager to continue good fortune vs. Rockies  Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez (98) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images   The San Diego Padres started the season by dropping four of their first five games before getting on a roll.  The Padres have won 14 of their last 17 games, including a four-game home sweep of Colorado as part of an eight-game winning streak. The Rockies can exact some revenge when they host the Padres in the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday in Denver.  San Diego right-hander Randy Vasquez (1-0, 2.49 ERA) goes to the mound on Tuesday. Colorado has not named a starter for the series opener.  The Padres were off Monday while the Rockies dropped a 12-3 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers to end a four-game wraparound series.  Vasquez is making his second start of the season against Colorado and the eighth in his career. In his previous seven outings against the Rockies, he is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He allowed just one run and struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings on April 9 in San Diego.  While the Padres have piled up the wins since late March, there is another ongoing streak that could make history this week. Closer Mason Miller is close to breaking the club’s consecutive scoreless innings record held by Cla Meredith.  Miller’s streak of 32 2/3 scoreless innings is one behind Meredith, who established the mark from July 18 to Sept. 12, 2006.  If he doesn’t allow a run in his next full inning, he’ll also tie Chris Short for eighth place among relievers for the longest streak since 1961. Gregg Olson holds the record with 41 shutout innings from Aug 4, 1989, to May 4, 1990, with Baltimore.   “This season is off to a good start,” Miller told MLB.com. “I finished last season strong. The two aren’t necessarily connected.”  If he is to continue the streak on the road, he’ll have to do it on the high altitude of Denver or when San Diego plays Arizona in Mexico City on Saturday and Sunday.  Colorado may derail those plans after a confidence-building series against the Dodgers. Like the Padres, Los Angeles was rolling heading to Denver before the Rockies split the series.  There’s much more optimism in Colorado surrounding this season after losing 119 games in 2025. The Rockies shook up their roster, and some of the early returns are positive. Troy Johnston and TJ Rumfield have played well in their first year with the team, and Edouard Julien has been a catalyst when he’s in the lineup.  Julien had three hits in a 9-6 win over the Dodgers on Sunday and is batting .259 heading into this three-game series.  “Eddie’s been great for us since day one,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “We knew that he was going to be an on-base machine. That’s what he’s done in his career. The type of hitter he is, he takes walks, he swings at the balls in the strike zone. That’s what we like at the top.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Randy #Vasquez #Padres #eager #continue #good #fortune #RockiesApr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez (98) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres started the season by dropping four of their first five games before getting on a roll.

The Padres have won 14 of their last 17 games, including a four-game home sweep of Colorado as part of an eight-game winning streak. The Rockies can exact some revenge when they host the Padres in the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday in Denver.

San Diego right-hander Randy Vasquez (1-0, 2.49 ERA) goes to the mound on Tuesday. Colorado has not named a starter for the series opener.

The Padres were off Monday while the Rockies dropped a 12-3 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers to end a four-game wraparound series.

Vasquez is making his second start of the season against Colorado and the eighth in his career. In his previous seven outings against the Rockies, he is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He allowed just one run and struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings on April 9 in San Diego.

While the Padres have piled up the wins since late March, there is another ongoing streak that could make history this week. Closer Mason Miller is close to breaking the club’s consecutive scoreless innings record held by Cla Meredith.

Miller’s streak of 32 2/3 scoreless innings is one behind Meredith, who established the mark from July 18 to Sept. 12, 2006.


If he doesn’t allow a run in his next full inning, he’ll also tie Chris Short for eighth place among relievers for the longest streak since 1961. Gregg Olson holds the record with 41 shutout innings from Aug 4, 1989, to May 4, 1990, with Baltimore.

“This season is off to a good start,” Miller told MLB.com. “I finished last season strong. The two aren’t necessarily connected.”

If he is to continue the streak on the road, he’ll have to do it on the high altitude of Denver or when San Diego plays Arizona in Mexico City on Saturday and Sunday.

Colorado may derail those plans after a confidence-building series against the Dodgers. Like the Padres, Los Angeles was rolling heading to Denver before the Rockies split the series.

There’s much more optimism in Colorado surrounding this season after losing 119 games in 2025. The Rockies shook up their roster, and some of the early returns are positive. Troy Johnston and TJ Rumfield have played well in their first year with the team, and Edouard Julien has been a catalyst when he’s in the lineup.

Julien had three hits in a 9-6 win over the Dodgers on Sunday and is batting .259 heading into this three-game series.

“Eddie’s been great for us since day one,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “We knew that he was going to be an on-base machine. That’s what he’s done in his career. The type of hitter he is, he takes walks, he swings at the balls in the strike zone. That’s what we like at the top.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Randy #Vasquez #Padres #eager #continue #good #fortune #Rockies

Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez (98) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres started the season by dropping four of their first five games before getting on a roll.

The Padres have won 14 of their last 17 games, including a four-game home sweep of Colorado as part of an eight-game winning streak. The Rockies can exact some revenge when they host the Padres in the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday in Denver.

San Diego right-hander Randy Vasquez (1-0, 2.49 ERA) goes to the mound on Tuesday. Colorado has not named a starter for the series opener.

The Padres were off Monday while the Rockies dropped a 12-3 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers to end a four-game wraparound series.

Vasquez is making his second start of the season against Colorado and the eighth in his career. In his previous seven outings against the Rockies, he is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He allowed just one run and struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings on April 9 in San Diego.

While the Padres have piled up the wins since late March, there is another ongoing streak that could make history this week. Closer Mason Miller is close to breaking the club’s consecutive scoreless innings record held by Cla Meredith.

Miller’s streak of 32 2/3 scoreless innings is one behind Meredith, who established the mark from July 18 to Sept. 12, 2006.

If he doesn’t allow a run in his next full inning, he’ll also tie Chris Short for eighth place among relievers for the longest streak since 1961. Gregg Olson holds the record with 41 shutout innings from Aug 4, 1989, to May 4, 1990, with Baltimore.

“This season is off to a good start,” Miller told MLB.com. “I finished last season strong. The two aren’t necessarily connected.”

If he is to continue the streak on the road, he’ll have to do it on the high altitude of Denver or when San Diego plays Arizona in Mexico City on Saturday and Sunday.

Colorado may derail those plans after a confidence-building series against the Dodgers. Like the Padres, Los Angeles was rolling heading to Denver before the Rockies split the series.

There’s much more optimism in Colorado surrounding this season after losing 119 games in 2025. The Rockies shook up their roster, and some of the early returns are positive. Troy Johnston and TJ Rumfield have played well in their first year with the team, and Edouard Julien has been a catalyst when he’s in the lineup.

Julien had three hits in a 9-6 win over the Dodgers on Sunday and is batting .259 heading into this three-game series.

“Eddie’s been great for us since day one,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “We knew that he was going to be an on-base machine. That’s what he’s done in his career. The type of hitter he is, he takes walks, he swings at the balls in the strike zone. That’s what we like at the top.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Randy #Vasquez #Padres #eager #continue #good #fortune #Rockies

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IPL 2026: A familiar middle-order collapse hurts Gujarat Titans yet again <div id="content-body-70888485" itemprop="articleBody"><p>The familiar script played out yet again in this edition of the IPL as Gujarat Titans’ brittle middle-order caved in without a fight against the Mumbai Indians.</p><p>On a day when Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler failed to fire, none of the remaining Titans batters showed the resilience required in a demanding chase. The collective failure prompted batting coach Matthew Hayden to label it a “horrible day” for his side.</p><p>The most worrying aspect wasn’t just the defeat, but the manner of it. The Titans couldn’t even bat out their 20 overs, as their innings rapidly unravelled.</p><p>The result also dealt a blow to their Net Run Rate and reignited concerns over an under-performing middle-order comprising Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan.</p><p>Only Washington managed to score at a brisk rate, while Phillips and Tewatia struggled to get going and their strike rates were well below the demands of modern T20 cricket. “The middle order was undoubtedly exposed,” Hayden admitted, pointing to the early damage in the PowerPlay.</p><p>“The thing about the PowerPlays is that you can’t win from there, especially in a run chase, but you can definitely lose it. And we lost it in the PowerPlay,” Hayden said.</p><p>The early dismissals of Sai Sudharsan, Buttler and Gill left the middle order with too much to do — a scenario Hayden believes the side must avoid. He stressed that players like Tewatia and Shahrukh are built for impact, not accumulation, and sending them in too early only adds pressure.</p><p>So far, Shahrukh has scored 35 runs, while Tewatia has chipped in with just 49 runs. “We are putting a lot of pressure on the middle-order. When you look at how the middle-order operates, it’s vastly different from how the top three handle those preparations. They are batting for impact,” Hayden said.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 21, 2026</p></div> #IPL #familiar #middleorder #collapse #hurts #Gujarat #Titans

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Deadspin | WTA roundup: Paula Badosa bounces Coco Gauff in Berlin  Mar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iva Jovic (USA) hits a backhand against Paula Badosa (ESP)(not pictured) on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images   Spain’s Paula Badosa, the 142nd-ranked player in the world, shocked No. 5 seed Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to advance to the Berlin Tennis Open quarterfinals.  Gauff, the world’s No. 7 player, owned a 12-4 advantage in aces, but Badosa went 4-for-5 on break points in the last two sets while Gauff converted just 1 of 2. Badosa, who was ranked as high as No. 2 in 2022, is 5-3 all-time vs. Gauff.  Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula moved into the quarterfinals of this WTA 500 event with straight-set wins. Sabalenka handled Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4 while Pegula took care of Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-4.  Unseeded Czech Nikola Bartunkova earned a quarterfinal matchup with Sabalenka by knocking off Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-4. The Phillippines’ Alexandra Eala claimed a 7-5, 6-4 first-round victory over Croatia’s Donna Vekic.  Lexus Nottingham Open   Third-seeded Emma Navarro needed two hours and 59 minutes to defeat Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4 and claim a quarterfinal spot in the WTA 250 event in Nottingham, United Kingdom.  Navarro will face Spain’s Jessica Bouzos Maneiro in the quarterfinals as Bouzos Maneiro led Katie Volynets 7-5, 1-0 when Volynets had to retire. Navarro suffered a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Bouzos Maneiro in the French Open’s first round in 2025.  Germany’s Tatjana Maria defeated Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-2 while Australia’s Talia Gibson outlasted China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 7-6 (10).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Paula #Badosa #bounces #Coco #Gauff #BerlinMar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iva Jovic (USA) hits a backhand against Paula Badosa (ESP)(not pictured) on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Spain’s Paula Badosa, the 142nd-ranked player in the world, shocked No. 5 seed Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to advance to the Berlin Tennis Open quarterfinals.

Gauff, the world’s No. 7 player, owned a 12-4 advantage in aces, but Badosa went 4-for-5 on break points in the last two sets while Gauff converted just 1 of 2. Badosa, who was ranked as high as No. 2 in 2022, is 5-3 all-time vs. Gauff.

Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula moved into the quarterfinals of this WTA 500 event with straight-set wins. Sabalenka handled Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4 while Pegula took care of Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-4.

Unseeded Czech Nikola Bartunkova earned a quarterfinal matchup with Sabalenka by knocking off Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-4. The Phillippines’ Alexandra Eala claimed a 7-5, 6-4 first-round victory over Croatia’s Donna Vekic.


Lexus Nottingham Open

Third-seeded Emma Navarro needed two hours and 59 minutes to defeat Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4 and claim a quarterfinal spot in the WTA 250 event in Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Navarro will face Spain’s Jessica Bouzos Maneiro in the quarterfinals as Bouzos Maneiro led Katie Volynets 7-5, 1-0 when Volynets had to retire. Navarro suffered a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Bouzos Maneiro in the French Open’s first round in 2025.

Germany’s Tatjana Maria defeated Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-2 while Australia’s Talia Gibson outlasted China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 7-6 (10).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Paula #Badosa #bounces #Coco #Gauff #Berlin">Deadspin | WTA roundup: Paula Badosa bounces Coco Gauff in Berlin  Mar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iva Jovic (USA) hits a backhand against Paula Badosa (ESP)(not pictured) on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images   Spain’s Paula Badosa, the 142nd-ranked player in the world, shocked No. 5 seed Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to advance to the Berlin Tennis Open quarterfinals.  Gauff, the world’s No. 7 player, owned a 12-4 advantage in aces, but Badosa went 4-for-5 on break points in the last two sets while Gauff converted just 1 of 2. Badosa, who was ranked as high as No. 2 in 2022, is 5-3 all-time vs. Gauff.  Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula moved into the quarterfinals of this WTA 500 event with straight-set wins. Sabalenka handled Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4 while Pegula took care of Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-4.  Unseeded Czech Nikola Bartunkova earned a quarterfinal matchup with Sabalenka by knocking off Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-4. The Phillippines’ Alexandra Eala claimed a 7-5, 6-4 first-round victory over Croatia’s Donna Vekic.  Lexus Nottingham Open   Third-seeded Emma Navarro needed two hours and 59 minutes to defeat Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4 and claim a quarterfinal spot in the WTA 250 event in Nottingham, United Kingdom.  Navarro will face Spain’s Jessica Bouzos Maneiro in the quarterfinals as Bouzos Maneiro led Katie Volynets 7-5, 1-0 when Volynets had to retire. Navarro suffered a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Bouzos Maneiro in the French Open’s first round in 2025.  Germany’s Tatjana Maria defeated Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-2 while Australia’s Talia Gibson outlasted China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 7-6 (10).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Paula #Badosa #bounces #Coco #Gauff #Berlin

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

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