North Carolina staged a late rally Friday night to defeat Ole Miss 6-2 in the opening game of the College World Series. The Tar Heels scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings to secure the win, overcoming a solid performance from Rebel starter Taylor Rabe.
Ole Miss (41-22) held a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning. However, reliever Hudson Calhoun walked back-to-back batters, prompting coach Mike Bianco to bring in closer Walker Hooks. North Carolina capitalized on the opportunity, with Gavin Gallaher delivering a key single that put the Tar Heels ahead 3-2. Gallaher was 0-for-15 in previous College World Series appearances.
Hooks managed to escape the seventh inning but struggled in the eighth after hitting a batter, allowing a double, and giving up a three-run home run. That sequence effectively sealed the game for North Carolina (51-12-1).
Rabe was impressive for Ole Miss, allowing only two hits and one run over 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts. He also issued four walks but kept the Rebels in the game. Calhoun took the loss, giving up two earned runs on two walks. Hooks surrendered three earned runs in two innings.
Despite the loss, Ole Miss out-hit North Carolina 8-5 and stranded two more runners. The Rebels had a chance to extend their lead in the sixth but failed to capitalize after a rally with runners on second and third. North Carolina’s Owen Hull tied the game with a solo homer in the sixth inning.
Offensively, Ole Miss was led by Dom Decker, who doubled twice and drove in a run. The Rebels scored their two runs on Decker’s double in the third and Judd Utermark’s single in the seventh. North Carolina’s Colin Hynek hit a three-run homer in the eighth, sealing the victory. Tyler Howe contributed two hits and two runs for the Tar Heels.
Ole Miss now faces elimination in the loser’s bracket, set to play Troy on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN and SuperTalk Mississippi stations. North Carolina advances to face West Virginia at 6 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
