Super regionals roundup: North Carolina produces fireworks in 18-2 win

Field Level Media|published: Fri 6th June, 19:42 2025

Jun 6, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina catcher Luke Stevenson (44) hits the ball during the seventh inning of the Super Regionals game against Arizona in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

No. 5 North Carolina pounced on visiting Arizona early in an 18-2 victory in Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional in the NCAA baseball tournament on Friday.

The Tar Heels (46-13) capitalized on the Wildcats' (42-19) shaky pitching in the first inning. Arizona starter Owen Kramkowski allowed two baserunners with a hit by pitch and a walk to open the bottom of the first inning. Two singles from Luke Stevenson and Gavin Gallaher followed by a Hunter Stokely three-run homer quickly made the game 5-1.

North Carolina stretched its lead to seven runs with a three-run shot from Stevenson in the second inning, then manufactured two more runs in the fourth inning for a 10-2 lead.

After more RBI singles and a pair of homers by Sam Angelo and Kane Kepley in the eighth inning, the North Carolina lead grew to a staggering 16 runs. Stokely and Stevenson led the way for the Tar Heels with five and four RBIs, respectively.

Arizona made solid contact, notching 10 hits (four by Adonys Guzman), but failed to drive in runs consistently. North Carolina starter Jake Knapp improved to 14-0 as he scattered two runs and nine hits over seven innings.

Louisville 8, Miami 1

Infielder Jake Munroe's pair of homers, including one in a pivotal five-run third inning, powered the Cardinals (39-21) to a win over the Hurricanes in Louisville, Ky.

After back-to-back Louisville home runs by Garret Pike and Munroe in the second inning, the Hurricanes (34-26) narrowed the lead to one with a Renzo Gonzalez sacrifice fly in the top of the third.

In the bottom of the third, Louisville loaded the bases with a double, an intentional walk and a hit by pitch. Pike then hit a comebacker to Miami starting pitcher AJ Ciscar, which Ciscar threw just out of the reach of catcher Tanner Smith. Louisville notched two runs on the error for a 4-1 lead.

Munroe belted a ball to left-center field with runners on second and third for his second long ball of the day, bringing the Cardinals lead to 7-1. Louisville tacked on another run in the fourth inning with Munroe's fifth RBI of the day.

--Field Level Media