UNC Ousts N.C. State to Advance to Final Four of CWS

For Colin Moran, revenge is sweet.

After opening the College World Series with an 0-for-3 performance en route to a 8-1 loss against N.C. State, Moran and the Tar Heels got another crack at the N.C. State Wolfpack.

In somewhat of a surprise move, N.C. State decided to start Carlos Rodon, the pitcher who dominated North Carolina in their first matchup in Omaha. Many including myself thought N.C. State was going to try to rest Rodon for at least one more game. As a result, there was a collective sense of surprise from the crowd at TD Ameritrade Park when he was announced as the starter.

There would be no domination from Rodon on this day.

Moran and the Tar Heels were able to get four hits in five innings off Rodon, scoring what ended up being the only run necessary in the process. Once Rodon was pulled, the Tar Heels crossed home plate six more times to send the Wolfpack home to the tune of a 7-0 shutout.

UNC pitcher Hobbs Johnson went eight and one-third innings, limiting the Wolfpack to five hits and striking out six.

It was Colin Moran's bat for the second consecutive game that set the tone for the Tar Heels. The sixth overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft went 3-for-4 at the plate, knocking in two runs and scoring another.

I think it's safe to say Moran is out of his postseason slump.

North Carolina now advances to play UCLA Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. The Tar Heels will need to defeat the Bruins twice in order to advance to the championship series.

North Carolina State exits the tournament on the back of consecutive losses after defeating North Carolina on the first Sunday in Omaha.