Lynch’s gem – Ryan Lynch scattered just two hits as No. 5 North Carolina opened its NCAA Regional by shutting out VCU for a second straight year, winning 8-0 at Boshamer Stadium behind a three-run first inning and a 355-foot home run from Cooper Nicholson.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The first pitch might as well have set the tone. North Carolina didn’t just start fast in the NCAA Regional opener against VCU on Friday night from Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium. It struck like a team that knew exactly what it wanted.
Ryan Lynch. making his 15th start of the year. pitched seven innings while allowing only two hits on 108 pitches. and the Diamond Heels stayed in control long enough to shut out VCU for a second straight year. By the time North Carolina finished its work. the scoreboard read 8-0 — the kind of result that leaves no room for doubt.
The Tar Heels loaded the bases early in the bottom of the first and plated three runs. Gavin Gallaher led off the rally with a two-out single up the middle to get on base. Erik Paulsen followed by scoring a double to bring home both Gallaher and Macon Winslow, putting UNC up early. Cooper Nicholson added another run with his base hit to left field, extending it to a 3-0 lead.
Then came the moment that changed the air in Boshamer Stadium. In the bottom of the third inning, Nicholson hit a 355-foot blast to left field — his 16th home run of the year — pushing North Carolina ahead 4-0.
VCU finally threatened in the top of the sixth, when Lynch allowed a leadoff hitter to reach base for the first time in the contest. Two walks by Lynch followed, but the UNC defense didn’t blink. A double play from Paulsen and Nicholson ended the inning and kept the shutout intact.
Lynch finished his outing with five strikeouts over 7.0 innings, throwing the 108 pitches that became the most in a single game in his career.
UNC didn’t stop at six outs and a lead. In the bottom of the eighth, with two Tar Heels aboard, Jake Schaffner singled to right-center field, scoring Colin Hynek from second base. Owen Hull then batted a triple down the right field line to score Schaffner, stretching the margin to 6-0.
North Carolina kept the pressure on. Gallaher singled down the left side of the infield to score Hull. He then stole both second and made his way to third on a ground out. setting himself up to cross on another RBI single from Paulsen — Paulsen’s third run driven in of the day. Walker McDuffie and Matthew Matthijs came in at the top of the eighth and ninth. respectively. to seal the 8-0 victory and finish off the shutout.
Now the Diamond Heels move forward in the winners’ bracket. North Carolina will face in-state foe East Carolina tomorrow night, with the first pitch slated for 5 p.m. ET. The game will be shown live on ACC Network.
North Carolina VCU NCAA Regional Ryan Lynch Cooper Nicholson Erik Paulsen shutout East Carolina