CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – One word best describes the first day of action in the Chapel Hill Regional — drama.
After LSU came from behind to top Wofford on a walk-off home run Friday afternoon, the host Tar Heels had some last-gasp heroics of their own against Long Island in the nightcap.
With the bases loaded and UNC down 8-7 to LIU in the bottom of the ninth, freshman Gavin Gallaher hit a grand slam to end the game, making the Boshamer Stadium crowd boom after a roller coaster of a final frame.
North Carolina (43-13) survived the opening contest by a final score of 11-8, moving on to play LSU Saturday evening in the winners bracket of the Chapel Hill Regional.
Not long before Gallaher’s blast, the home crowd had been stunned into silence when LIU (33-24), down to their final strike, got a game-tying hit from JC Navarro, who had already hit a 3-run homer in the third inning. Then, with the score knotted at 5-5 and two on for the Sharks, Jacob Pipercic launched one to left field, giving LIU a 8-5 lead going into the bottom of the ninth.
But UNC wasn’t done, with the heart of the Tar Heels lineup up to bat with the game on the line. Vance Honeycutt got hit by a pitch, followed by a single by Casey Cook and a single by Anthony Donofrio to load the bases.
Alberto Osuna then slapped an infield single to plate Honeycutt and keep the bases loaded with the score 8-6. Luke Stevenson walked in another run before Gallaher ended the night with one swing of his bat.
Long Island and Wofford will play in an elimination game Saturday afternoon, while UNC and LSU will face off Saturday evening.