UNC drops Game 1 to USC in Super Regional The North Carolina baseball team faces a daunting task as it seeks to advance to the College World Series after suffering a 9-5 loss to USC in the first game of their Super Regional. The Trojans staged a dramatic comeback, overcoming a 5-1 deficit with eight unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the victory. The win sets the stage for a pivotal Game 2 on Saturday, with UNC holding the homefield advantage at Boshamer Stadium for all three potential games. USC’s victory was highlighted by a grand slam hit by Dean Carpentier in the sixth inning, which extended the Trojans’ lead to 6-5. The game, played on Friday, June 5, marked the first time the two teams have faced each other since 2012. UNC, ranked No. 5 nationally, enters the series with a strong resume, having swept through the regional round by defeating VCU in the opener and East Carolina twice. The Tar Heels’ journey to the Super Regional includes a 22-8 ACC record and a run to the ACC championship game, where they fell to Georgia Tech. USC, meanwhile, advanced to the Super Regional by winning the College Station Regional with a 4-game sweep. The Trojans outscored their opponents 55-14 during the regional, despite losing their opening game to Texas State. This Super Regional marks a significant milestone for USC, as it is their first appearance in the College World Series since 2001. UNC, on the other hand, last reached the CWS in 2024, where they were eliminated by Florida State—their 12th appearance in the tournament. The Super Regional schedule features Game 1 on Friday, followed by Game 2 on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. A potential Game 3 would be held on Sunday, June 7, if necessary.#unc #college_world_series #usc #boshamer_stadium #dean_carpentier
Oregon Baseball Eyes NCAA Regional Hosting Bid Amid Final Regular Season Push The Oregon Ducks baseball team faces a pivotal final regular season series against USC at PK Park, with their postseason fate hanging in the balance. The matchup, set to conclude Big Ten play, could determine whether the Ducks secure a top-two finish in the conference standings and earn a favorable position in the NCAA Tournament bracket. Currently ranked fourth in the Big Ten, Oregon needs a strong performance against the Trojans to potentially move into second place and bolster their chances of hosting a regional round in Omaha. NCAA bracket projections have placed Oregon in a tight race for a postseason berth, with varying scenarios depending on their performance this weekend. D1Baseball’s latest analysis suggests the Ducks could clinch the No. 16 overall seed, earning them the opportunity to host a regional round at home for the second consecutive year. This outcome would hinge on a sweep of USC, as the Ducks’ RPI ranking of 19th currently lags behind USC’s No. 8 position. A strong showing against the Trojans could elevate Oregon’s profile and secure a spot in the top 16, granting them home-field advantage for the regional. The projected Eugene Regional, should Oregon host, would feature a challenging field. Arkansas, the SEC’s dominant power, is expected to be the No. 2 seed, while Gonzaga—recently defeated by Oregon in Eugene—would serve as the No. 3 seed. Wright State would round out the four-team field. The regional champion would face the winner of the Los Angeles Regional, where UCLA is projected to host. Oregon’s recent 1-2 record against the Bruins adds context to this potential matchup. However, USA TODAY’s projections paint a more pessimistic picture for Oregon. The outlet forecasts the Ducks as a No.#big_ten #ncaa_tournament #oregon_ducks #usc #pk_park
Tuesday's Gubernatorial Debate at USC Called Off A planned gubernatorial debate scheduled for Tuesday at the University of Southern California has been canceled. The event, which was set to broadcast on ABC7 Los Angeles and affiliated stations in San Francisco and Fresno, was intended to feature six candidates competing for the governor’s seat. The participants were chosen using standardized criteria commonly applied in national debates, which rely on polling data and fundraising figures to determine eligibility. Scholars and experts have publicly supported the methodology, describing it as a “widely accepted standard” for assessing candidate viability in both academic studies and practical political contexts. However, some critics have called for expanding the number of candidates included in the debate, arguing that the current selection process excludes potential contenders. In response, USC issued a statement Monday night, acknowledging concerns about the debate’s criteria but clarifying that the university and ABC7 could not reach an agreement on broadening the field. The decision to cancel the event was described as a “difficult” one, with the university vowing to explore alternative ways to inform voters about the candidates and key issues. The debate’s cancellation has sparked discussions about the role of media in shaping electoral discourse. Advocates for broader representation argue that limiting participation to a select group may marginalize less prominent candidates, while supporters of the current approach emphasize the need for structured, data-driven selection processes. With the gubernatorial race already featuring a large field of contenders, the debate’s postponement has added to the uncertainty surrounding voter engagement and campaign strategies.#los_angeles #san_francisco #usc #abc7 #university_of_southern_california
