North Carolina Shuts Out USC 4-0 to Force Decisive Game 3 in Super Regional

On Saturday. Jason DeCaro pitched a complete-game shutout, giving up two hits and one walk while hitting one batter and recording eight strikeouts. He reached 95 mph on his fastball in the final innings and struck out Kevin Takeuchi on a curveball to end the game.

The performance marked the first complete-game shutout in a Super Regional elimination game since Vanderbilt’s Kumar Rocker threw a no-hitter against Duke in 2019. USC entered the game with an offense that had scored a combined 64 runs over its previous five games, yet finished with five baserunners, none of whom reached second base.

Colin Hynek hit a solo home run for North Carolina in the second inning against USC starter Grant Govel.

Govel pitched five innings and allowed one run. USC’s bullpen allowed three runs after relieving Govel. Sax Matson relieved Govel to start the sixth inning and gave up a home run on his third pitch. He allowed another run in the sixth inning before being pulled after issuing a leadoff walk in the seventh.

USC’s record after the loss is 48-17. The Trojans’ five-game postseason winning streak ended with the defeat. USC must win Game 3 on Sunday to advance to the College World Series. USC has not reached the College World Series since 2001.

USC coach Andy Stankiewicz said, “Quite honestly, it was all about Jason DeCaro today. ” Possible starters for USC in Game 3 include freshman right-hander Diego Velasquez, who started the third game of USC’s regional, or sophomore right-hander Andrew Johnson, who delivered 3 ⅔ innings of scoreless relief against North Carolina on Friday.

Stankiewicz said of the Game 3 pitching plan, “It will be everybody.