Clutch Hits Lead North Carolina Tarheels to NCAA Regional Title In Extra Inning Thriller Over Florida Atlantic 12-11

 Cody Stubbs drove in the game winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning to lead the Tarheels over Florida Atlantic 12-11 for the NCAA Regional Title.  Carolina pounded out 21 hits on the day led by Stubbs,  4-7, 3 runs scored and had 2 RBI including the game winner. Landon Lassiter also had 4 hits (4-8) with 3 runs scored.  Mike Zolk 3-4, scored a run and had 4 big RBI on the day.

Carolina took a 1-0 lead as Moran doubled down the line to score Lassiter in the bottom of the 1st.

FAU answered with a 2-run home run in the top of the 2nd by Corey Keller to take a 2-1 lead.  Carolina evened up the score in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Chaz Frank. 2-2.

In the bottom of the third, a two-out rally for the Tar Heels as Stubbs singled, Russell walked and Bolt singles home Stubbs. Then a wild pitch scores Russell from third, Heels 4-2.

Carolina added to their lead in the bottom of the 5th when Mike Zolk lined a single up the middle to score Cody Stubbs who had singled earlier in the frame. Heels 5-2.

After a walk to Zolk and a single by Jordan, Frank drives a run in to make it Carolina 6-2 through 7 innings.

In the top of the 9th, Keller hit his second homer of the game and after FAU loaded the bases, the Owls clean up hitter Tyler Rocklein hit a grand slam. FAU scores 6 in the inning to go up 8-6.

In the bottom of the 9th, Stubbs doubled and after a single by Russell. Zolk came through with a clutch single scoring both Stubbs and Russell, tying the score and forcing extra innings. 8-8

Score remains tied until the top of the 12th when FAU's Levi Myer hits a 3-run home run to put the Owls back in front, 11-8

But Carolina and Zolk answer the call again Bottom 12 Lassiter singles. Moran walks. Holberton singles to lead bases. Back to back walks to Stubbs and Russell make it 11-10. Zolk is clutch again knocking in Holberton to tie the score but Stubbs was called out at the plate with the apparent winning run.

Tarheel pitching held FAU scoreless in the top of the lucky 13th.

And in the bottom of the inning, FAU pitchers loaded the bases and Stubbs unloaded a drive down the LF line to score the game-winning run, 12-11.

UNC claims its 12th NCAA Regional title.

The Tarheels will open Super Regional action Friday at 1 pm against South Carolina at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill.

Super Regional Schedule: Friday at 1 p.m. (ESPN2), Saturday at Noon (ESPN), Sunday at 1 p.m. (ESPN) (if necessary)