UNC, Rice Night Game Winners

#3 UNC overcame a 5 run deficit with 9 runs in the 6th and 7th innings to take game 1 of the Super Regional series against South Carolina. The Gamecocks' defense proved incapable in the 2 innings, making costly errors which led to the 9 runs, all scored with 2 outs. Robert Woodard's career home record stayed intact at 22-0 after he left the game and because of the Tarheel rally, earned a no decision. For UNC, junior shortstop Josh Horton recorded 3 doubles and was key in the UNC rally. James Darnell hit a homerun along with Robbie Grinestaff hitting a pinch hit grand slam. North Carolina will play tomorrow against South Carolina, needing 1 win in the next 2 games to return to Omaha.

#2 Rice rallied in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the game and then won it against instate foe Texas A&M in the bottom of the 10th. Jordan Dodson's RBI single in the 10th scored Danny Lehmann, ending the game and making Rice 1 win away from the College World Series. Freshman Ryan Berry of Rice threw a gem, allowing only 2 runs in 7.1 innings with 10 strikeouts. But it was Bobby Bramhall that got the win for the Owls, pitching 2.2 innings of scoreless ball with 4 K's. Pitching was the name of this game, and tomorrow's contest should be just like this one.