Chapel Hill, North Carolina — Josh Pearson and Hayden Trabinski hit home runs, Steven Milam hit a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth inning and defending champion LSU beat national No. 4 seed North Carolina 8-4 on Sunday night in the Chapel Hill Regional.
LSU (43-22) will face North Carolina (44-14) in a rematch on Monday for the region title and a spot in the Super Regional. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
A limited number of standing room only tickets will be available at the Boshamer Stadium box office beginning at 4:30 p.m. The Bullpen Club will be closed on Monday.
“I give LSU credit,” said UNC head coach Scott Forbes “I [Thatcher] Hurd started off really well. He didn't make any mistakes. I'm really proud of the team for staying in the game and hitting the tying run.
“Aidan [Haugh] “He could have gotten a little bit more mileage, but he gave it his all. I can't say anything negative about our team. It's a special group.”
Pearson homered after Jared Jones was walked with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, and the Tigers continued to hold the lead.
Michael Braswell III singled with two outs in the third inning to score one run, and Milam scored two in the fourth to give LSU a 7-1 lead. The Tigers added another run in the fifth on a solo home run by Trabinski.
North Carolina scored one run in the top of the sixth. Parks Harbour He hit a double, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch. The Tar Heels scored their final two runs. Anthony D'Onofrio's A single with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.
Donofrio went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs. Harbaugh and Osuna each had 2 hits.
UNC got a tying hit with one out against relief pitcher Gavin Guidry in the bottom of the ninth, but Guidry struck out. Luke Stevenson Ejected after pitching a full count Gavin Gallagher A fly to left ended the threat.
Starting pitcher Thatcher Hurd (3-4) earned the win. He gave up six hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings, with no walks and six strikeouts.
Carolina starters Aidan Howe (4-2) gave up four runs on five hits and two walks in three innings, and was named the losing pitcher.
The Tar Heels beat the Tigers 6-2 on Saturday to advance to the consolation round, but LSU beat Wofford 13-6 early Sunday to stay in the tournament.