In the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional, right-hander Thatcher Hurd delivered a standout performance on Sunday, leading LSU to an 8-4 victory over North Carolina at Boshamer Stadium. The win forces a decisive rematch between the Tigers and the Tar Heels on Monday evening to determine the regional champion.
Hurd (3-4) pitched a season-long 5.2 innings, holding North Carolina to two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking none. His efforts were complemented by left fielder Josh Pearson, who launched a two-run homer in the first inning, setting the tone for LSU’s offense.
LSU’s victory, combined with their earlier 13-6 win over Wofford in an elimination game, improved their record to 43-22. North Carolina, the No. 4 National Seed in the NCAA Tournament, fell to 44-14. Wofford concluded their season with a 42-20 record.
“Talent and experience win,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “Our players have talent, they’re experienced. We’ve been in games like that today and have come through. When that happens, our players should draw a lot of confidence from that. I have confidence in them, just like I had confidence in giving the ball to Thatcher tonight.”
Relievers Justin Loer, Fidel Ulloa, Kade Anderson, and Gavin Guidry combined to allow two runs on three hits over the final 3.1 innings, striking out seven to secure the win.
North Carolina’s starter Aidan Haugh (4-2) took the loss, surrendering four runs on five hits in three innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. Pearson’s homer against Haugh in the first inning gave LSU an early 2-0 lead. Shortstop Michael Braswell III extended the lead to 3-0 with a two-out RBI single in the third.
The Tar Heels responded in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 3-1 when first baseman Parks Harber doubled and scored on an RBI single by right fielder Anthony Donofrio. However, LSU struck back in the bottom of the fourth with four runs. Third baseman Tommy White lined an RBI single, followed by a two-run single from second baseman Steven Milam. The final run of the inning scored on Pearson’s double-play groundout with the bases loaded.
Designated hitter Hayden Travinski added a solo shot in the fifth, his 16th homer of the season, extending LSU’s lead to 8-1. North Carolina scored one run in the sixth and two in the seventh. The Tar Heels threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with one out, but Guidry struck out catcher Luke Stevenson and retired third baseman Gavin Gallaher on a fly ball to left field to end the game.
In their earlier game against Wofford, LSU overcame a 5-0 first-inning deficit to win 13-6. Pearson led the Tigers’ offense, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, and four RBIs. Reliever Griffin Herring (6-1) earned the win, allowing one run on five hits over 6.1 innings with no walks and seven strikeouts.
