North Carolina tops Notre Dame, advances to ACC title game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Mac Horvath hit a go-ahead single with two outs within the eighth inning and Danny Serretti adopted with a two-run double to spark No. 8 seed North Carolina to a 7-2 victory over No. 4 seed Notre Dame within the semifinal spherical of the ACC Event on Saturday.

North Carolina (37-19) advances to play the winner of the second semifinal — both No. 11 seed Pittsburgh or No. 12 seed North Carolina State — in Sunday’s championship sport.

The Tar Heels pulled away from a 2-2 tied within the eighth. Mikey Madej singled main off. Tomas Frick reached first on a throwing error by pitcher Aidan Tyrell on a sacrifice bunt try and Patrick Alvarez adopted with a stroll to load the bases.

Jackson Dennies changed Tyrell and struck out Johnny Castagnozzi for the primary out. Will Mercer relieved Dennies and struck out Angel Zarate on three pitches for the second out. However Horvath singled via the suitable aspect of the infield to attain Madej and Danny Serretti added two insurance coverage runs with a double.

Castagnozzi delivered a two-run single within the ninth to cap the scoring.

North Carolina took a 1-0 lead within the high of the second on Colby Wilkerson’s RBI floor out.

The Combating Irish (35-14) took a 2-1 lead on solo house runs by No. 9 hitter Jack Brannigan within the third and Carter Putz within the fifth.

Shawn Rapp (4-0) retired all 5 batters he confronted in aid to get the win for the Tar Heels. D Palermo a success and a stroll, hanging out three within the closing two innings for his fifth save.

Tyrell (5-1), did not retire a batter and took the loss for Notre Dame. He allowed a success and a stroll and was charged with three unearned runs.

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