June 20, 2013

College World Series Results & Schedules

College World Series Capsules

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Johnson of UNC sends NC State home

He wasn’t Roy Hobbs, but he pitched like a Natural.

Hobbs Johnson was dominant with a career-high 8.1 scoreless innings as top-seeded North Carolina blanked NC State 7-0 Thursday at the College World Series in front of 25,742 fans at TD Ameritrade Park.

Johnson (5-1) allowed five hits, walked two and struck out six for the Tar Heels (59-11). McCue faced one batter and got a double play to end the contest and eliminate the Wolfpack (50-16).

UNC tallied an unearned run in the top of the fourth. Colin Moran (3 for 4) had a leadoff single and reached second on an errant throw on a bunt by Brian Holberton. Cody Stubbs walked to load the bases with none away. Skye Bolt hit a grounder to third that forced Moran at the plate for the first out. Michael Russell flied out to right and Holberton made a great slide to avoid the tag, giving the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead. Mike Zolk (2 for 4) flied out to center to end the rally.

The Wolfpack put a pair on in the bottom of the fourth on a one-out single by Grant Clyde and a two-out base hit by Bryan Adametz. Johnson fanned Jake Armstrong to keep NC State off the board.

Moran, the top RBI producer in Division I, added a run-scoring single in the fifth to make it 2-0. Moran has driven in 90 this season, the first ACC player to reach 90 RBI since Buster Posey of Florida State had 93 in 2008.

UNC put the game away in the eighth. Moran drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a walk to Stubbs with two down. Bolt was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Russell delivered a two-run single and Zolk followed with a two-run double as the Heels pushed the lead to 6-0.

Moran added an RBI single in the ninth to increase the advantage to 7-0.

Carlos Rodon (10-3, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) took the loss.

North Carolina must beat UCLA on both Friday and Saturday to advance to the CWS Championship Series.