North Carolina edges South Carolina 6-5 in NCAAs

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Freshman Skye Bolt hit a game-winning RBI single through the right side in the ninth inning to lift North Carolina past South Carolina 6-5 Saturday in the opener of the NCAA super regional best-of-3 series.

Bolt’s two-out hit scored Parks Jordan from second for the Tar Heels (56-9), putting them within a win of reaching the College World Series for the sixth time in eight seasons. It was yet another close win for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament as North Carolina shook off a shaky start from top pitcher Kent Emanuel and an early two-run deficit.

Reliever Trent Thornton (10-1) earned the win, allowing one run in three innings. Tyler Webb (3-3) took the loss for the Gamecocks (42-19).

The Tar Heels reached the super regionals with a 12-11, 13-inning win against Florida Atlantic on Monday night.