UNC tops Oregon St. in CWS opener

OMAHA, Neb. — North Carolina knocked out Oregon State ace Luke Heimlich during a five-run third inning and went on to beat the Beavers 8-6 on Saturday in the opening game of the College World Series.

The Tar Heels (44-18) used six pitchers in a four-hour, 24-minute slog in 95-degree heat that was the longest nineinning game in CWS history. They turned back threats from one of the nation’s most potent offenses in the sixth and seventh innings.

Heimlich (16-2), the two-time Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, lasted just 21⁄3 innings for Oregon State (49-11-1).

Last year, Heimlich left the team for super regionals and the CWS after it was revealed he had pleaded guilty to molesting a relative when he was 15. The university allowed him to return to the team this year. He served two years’ probation and went through a treatment program but denied wrongdoing in recent interviews with Sports Illustrated and the New York Times.

North Carolina will face Mississippi State, a 1-0 winner over Washington, on Monday night. Oregon State will play Washington in an elimination game.

MISSISSIPPI ST. 1 WASHINGTON 0

Luke Alexander’s drive to right field sailed over Christian Jones in the bottom of the ninth inning, allowing Hunter Stovall to score from second to give the Bulldogs (38-27) a win over the Huskies (35-25).

It was Mississippi State’s third walkoff win, and fourth on its final at-bat, in its last eight NCAA Tournament games.