Arizona vs. North Carolina
With a trip to Omaha on the line, the Arizona Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels clashed in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional, capping off one of the most dramatic and competitive weekends in the 2025 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.
In front of a packed Boshamer Stadium crowd of over 4,000 fans, both teams left everything on the field in a game that had momentum swings, standout pitching performances, clutch hitting, and late-inning drama. At stake was not just a spot in the College World Series, but the right to face red-hot Coastal Carolina in the opening round in Omaha.
A Back-and-Forth Series
The Super Regional series had already seen high-level baseball in Games 1 and 2. Arizona took the opener 6–4 behind a strong outing from sophomore ace Daniel Gutierrez and timely hitting from senior catcher Owen Miller. But the Tar Heels bounced back in Game 2, erupting for 11 runs, including a grand slam by freshman sensation Ty Sellers, to even the series and force a deciding third game.
Game 3: Winner Takes All
The rubber match did not disappoint. North Carolina sent veteran right-hander Jake Eddington to the mound, while Arizona countered with junior lefty Marco Sanchez. Both pitchers brought playoff-caliber stuff early, trading scoreless frames through the first three innings.
In the top of the fourth, Arizona struck first. After a leadoff double from shortstop Nico Aranda, the Wildcats pushed across a run with a two-out RBI single by first baseman Caleb McNeil. But North Carolina answered quickly in the bottom half, tying the game on a sacrifice fly by junior third baseman Connor Dalton following back-to-back singles.
The game remained tight until the sixth inning, when Arizona loaded the bases with one out. Tar Heels reliever Eli Andrews came in and nearly escaped the jam, but a bloop single into shallow right from Wildcats second baseman Jordan Lopez plated two runs, giving Arizona a 3–1 lead.
Tar Heels Rally Late
The Tar Heels weren’t done. In the bottom of the seventh, leadoff hitter Jack Remington roped a triple down the right-field line. One batter later, he scored on a groundout to cut the deficit to 3–2.
In the eighth, North Carolina capitalized on a pair of defensive miscues. With two outs and runners on first and second, a sharp ground ball got past Arizona’s third baseman, allowing the tying run to score. The Boshamer crowd erupted as the game was deadlocked heading into the ninth.
Extra-Inning Heroics
Neither team broke through in the ninth, sending the game into extra innings. In the top of the 10th, Arizona’s patience at the plate paid off. With two outs and a runner on second, outfielder Blake Thompson worked a 3-2 count before driving a line-drive double into the left-center gap, scoring the go-ahead run. Arizona added an insurance run on a wild pitch, making it 5–3.
Closer Tyrese Coleman, who entered in the ninth, stayed on to finish the job. North Carolina managed a leadoff single and moved the runner to third with two outs, but Coleman blew a 96 mph fastball past pinch-hitter Kyle Morgan to end the game and punch Arizona’s ticket to Omaha.
Wildcats Return to Omaha
The Wildcats celebrated near the pitcher’s mound, dogpiling in triumph as the Tar Heels looked on in stunned silence. It marks Arizona’s first trip to the College World Series since 2021 and the program’s 19th overall.
“We’ve been grinding all season for this moment,” said Arizona head coach Chip Hale. “To come into Chapel Hill, take two out of three against a tough ACC team, and do it in this fashion — it speaks volumes about the toughness and heart of this group.”
Looking Ahead: Arizona vs. Coastal Carolina
Arizona will now prepare to face Coastal Carolina in the opening round of the College World Series in Omaha. The Chanticleers, champions of the 2016 CWS, have been one of the hottest teams in the postseason, upsetting top-seeded Texas A&M in their own Super Regional.
The Wildcats will have their hands full with Coastal’s deep lineup and aggressive base running, but Arizona brings postseason pedigree and momentum into the matchup.
First pitch in Omaha is scheduled for Saturday, June 14.
Final Score:
Arizona 5, North Carolina 3 (10 innings)
Arizona wins the Chapel Hill Super Regional, 2–1
Key Players:
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Marco Sanchez (AZ) – 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 7 K
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Blake Thompson (AZ) – Game-winning RBI double in the 10th
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Tyrese Coleman (AZ) – 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K, Save
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Jack Remington (UNC) – 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R
Next Up:
Arizona vs. Coastal Carolina – Opening Round, 2025 College World Series, Omaha.
