UNC baseball vs Tennessee final score: Tar Heels fall to Vols, will face FSU in College World Series elimination game (2024)

In its first game of the 2024 College World Series, North Carolina baseball earned a dramatic, walk-off victory against ACC foe Virginia in the opening game of the event.

The Tar Heels could not duplicate that magic in their second game of the College World Series, getting overpowered by No. 1 national seed Tennessee 6-1 in Omaha, Nebraska.

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No. 1 Tennessee proved to be too much for Scott Forbes' UNC baseball squad, jumping out to a 3-0 lead — one it would never relinquish — in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Vols added extra runs in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings to provide some insurance, but it proved unnecessary. Apart from a Vance Honeycutt solo home run in the top of the sixth inning, UNC posed little threat to the Vols.

With that, the Tar Heels (48-15) now fall to the "loser's bracket," where they will take on No. 8 national seed Florida State in an CWS elimination game. Despite both teams being in the ACC, Tuesday's elimination game meeting will be the first between the Tar Heels and Seminoles. Should they beat FSU, they will need to turn around and beat Tennessee twice in the CWS semifinals — once on Wednesday and again on Thursday — to advance to the championship series.

Check out all the scores, updates, highlights and more from North Carolina baseball’s College World Series game against Tennessee:

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UNC baseball vs Tennessee score: Vols 6, Tar Heels 1

UNC baseball vs Tennessee updates, highlights

All times Eastern

Final: Tennessee 6, UNC 1

Top of 9th Inning: Tennessee 6, UNC 1

10:37 p.m.: Make it 0 for 3 for Stevenson, whose fly-out is the last of the game. The Tar Heels lose 6-1 and fall to 1-1 in the College World Series and will face off vs. No. 8 national seed Florida State on Tuesday.

10:35 p.m.: Gallaher walks, and North Carolina has life yet. Stevenson's up to bat. He's 0 for 2 today with a walk.

10:32 p.m.: Gallaher's up next for UNC ... and he pops up to Curley at shortstop. The Tar Heels are down to their final out.

10:28 p.m.: Anthony Donofrio looked to have beaten out an infield single but Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke makes a really nice snag to make the play. One down.

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Bottom of 8th Inning: Tennessee 6, UNC 1

10:25 p.m.: Tar Heels get out of the inning as Dean Curley flies out to left. Three final outs for North Carolina as it trails 6-1.

10:22 p.m.: North Carolina's deficit widens as Kavares Tears hits a two-out double down the right field line scoring Billy Amick. Tennessee now leads North Carolina 6-1.

10:19 p.m.: Big first out for Connor Bovair as he gets Colby Backus looking for the second out. Two down.

10:17 p.m.: Connor Bovair comes into pitch for the Tar Heels. 1-0 record with a 3.71 ERA in 26 ⅔ innings pitched.

10:12 p.m.: Scott Forbes goes back to the bullpen after Cameron Padgett gives up a one-out single to Dylan Dreiling.

10:11 p.m.: Cameron Padgett issues a one-out walk to Billy Amick. Runner on for Tennessee.

10:10 p.m.: Third base umpire says Blake Burke went around on the swing. One down in the eighth.

Top of 8th Inning: Tennessee 5, UNC 1

10:07 p.m.: Another first pitch swing for the Tar Heels as Parks Harber lines out to short for the third out of the inning.

10:06 p.m.: Tough break for the Tar Heels, as their momentum comes to an end, as Casey Cook grounds into a double play. Two down.

10:05 p.m.: Vance Honeycutt draws a lead-off walk against new Tennessee pitcher Nate Snead. Lead-off hitter on base for the Tar Heels. Huge opportunity coming for the Tar Heels.

Bottom of 7th Inning: Tennessee 5, UNC 1

9:58 p.m.: Big out for Cameron Padgett as he gets Christian Moore to ground into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. Onto the eighth in Omaha with the Tar Heels trailing 5-1.

9:56 p.m.: Cameron Padgett wins the battle with Cal Stark as he gets the strikeout. One down.

9:54 p.m.: Pick-off attempt from Cameron Padgett to first is unsuccessful as Reese Chapman gets under the tag.

9:53 p.m.: Cal Stark takes a timeout as he walks over to the Tennessee third base coach.

9:47 p.m.: Ben Peterson issues a lead-off walk to Reese Chapman in the seventh. That will be it for Peterson as Scott Forbes pops out of the dugout. Pitching change for the Tar Heels as Cameron Padgett comes into pitch.

Top of the 7th Inning: Tennessee 5, UNC 1

9:42 p.m.: North Carolina can't capitalize on Alex Madera's two-out single as Colby Wilkerson flies out to right for the third out of the inning. Stretch time in Omaha as the Tar Heels trail the Vols 5-1.

9:40 p.m.: Alex Madera beats out an infield hit for a two-out single. Speed kills! It is the 10th infield single for Madera on the season.

9:38 p.m.: Jackson Van De Brake flies out to right for the second out.

9:37 p.m.: Luke Stevenson strikes out looking against Kirby Connell, who is rocking the handlebar Rollie Fingers mustache, for the first out.

Bottom of the 6th Inning: Tennessee 5, UNC 1

9:33 p.m.: Call stands as Luke Stevenson throws out Dean Curley on the steal attempt for the third out of the inning. Tar Heels have some work to do.

9:32 p.m.: Luke Stevenson throws out Dean Curley at second. Tennessee challenging the call.

9:31 p.m.: Tennessee goes back up four runs on a weak single up the middle from Dean Curley, scoring Colby Backus from second. That past ball from Peterson came back to bite him.

9:30 p.m.: Ben Peterson strikes out Kavares Tears looking on a 95 mph fastball. Two down.

9:28 p.m.: First pitch of the night from Ben Peterson goes to the back stop allowing Colby Backus to move into scoring position at second.

9:27 p.m.: Ben Peterson comes in for relief of Matthew Matthijs. Peterson is 3-2 on the season with a 4.97 ERA in 29.0 innings pitched.

9:24 p.m.: Matthew Matthijs issues a one-out walk to Colby Backus and that looks to be it for the Tar Heels right-hander as Scott Forbes points out to the bullpen on his walk to the mound.

9:22 p.m.: Dylan Dreiling flies out to Vance Honeycutt in center for the first out of the inning. One down.

Top of the 6th Inning: Tennessee 4, UNC 1

9:17 p.m.: Gavin Gallaher strikes out swinging for the third out of the inning. Another wasted opportunity for the Tar Heels, who head to the bottom of the sixth trailing 4-1.

9:16 p.m.: Tennessee left-handed reliever Kirby Connell comes in for Drew Beams. Anthony Donofrio gets picked off by Connell in an aggressive stolen base attempt.

9:14 p.m.: Anthony Donofrio reaches on a fielder's choice, but Tennessee gets Harber out at second while Cook advances to third. Runners on the corners with one out.

9:11 p.m.: Final stat line for Beam: 5 innings pitched, 73 pitches thrown, four hits allowed, one earned run, seven strikeouts, two base on balls.

9:10 p.m.: Harber reaches after Amick can't field the hopper — the tying run is on the plate, and now Tony Vitello is heading out. Kirby Connell's coming out to replace Beam in a jam.

9:07 p.m.: And now Cook rips a single through the 3-4 hole to put a runner on. Drew Beam gets a mound visit but looks like he's staying on for now. Parks Harber up to bat in the No. 3 spot.

9:06 p.m.: No. Doubt. About it! Honeycutt rips one over the left center field wall for a solo home run to get the Tar Heels on the board. It had an exit velocity of 111.1 mph, traveling 401 feet!

Bottom of 5th Inning: Tennessee 4, UNC 0

9:02 p.m.: Moore advances on a wild pitch, but UNC gets out of the inning with no more damage done, facing a 4-0 deficit.

8:58 p.m.: After striking out Cal Stark for the first out of the inning, Matthew Matthijs gives up a single to Christian Moore.

8:57 p.m.: Following a 17-minute delay to an umpire change, Tennessee-North Carolina has resumed. Matthew Matthijs will begin his night in relief with the bases cleared and no outs in the bottom of the fifth.

8:44 p.m.: Umpire change: Scott Cline is moving to home plate. Grady Smith — alternate umpire — is now at second base. More to come.

8:39 p.m.: Matthew Matthijs comes in with a 12-4 record and 3.65 ERA in 56 ⅔ innings pitched. Game has been halted for an umpire change.

8:37 p.m.: Final line for Shea Sprague: 4.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 H's, 2 BB's and 6 K's

8:36 p.m.: Scott Forbes makes a mound visit to talk to Shea Sprague. Tar Heels end up making a pitching change as Matthew Matthijs comes into pitch.

8:35 p.m.: Tennessee extends its lead to 4-0 as Shea Sprague gives up a lead-off home run to Reese Chapman. Volunteers have scored all four of their runs by the long ball.

Top of 5th Inning: Tennessee 3, UNC 0

8:31 p.m.: Tar Heels can't capitalize on their opportunity in the inning as Colby Wilkerson strikes out swinging to end the inning. Wasted spot for UNC as Drew Beam threw nearly 30 pitches in the inning.

8:30 p.m.: Alex Madera strikes out looking. Two down.

8:28 p.m.: Alex Madera looked to have gotten an infield single on a dribbler up the third base line but it went foul just before reaching third base. He heads back to the plate.

8:26 p.m.: Tennessee having PitchCom issues as Cal Stark walks over to the Volunteers dugout. Alex Madera has an 0-2 count right now with two runners on.

8:25 p.m.: Real nice at-bat from Jackson Van De Brake as he draws a one-out walk on the eight-pitch of the at-bat. Runners on first and second with one out here in the fifth for the Tar Heels.

8:24 p.m.: Tennessee makes a mound visit in the fifth inning as Jackson Van De Brake continues to battle against Drew Beam.

8:21 p.m.: Jackson Van De Brake ropes back-to-back hit down the left field line but both go foul. Tough break for the Tar Heels.

8:20 p.m.: Luke Stevenson draws a one-out walk to give North Carolina its first baserunner of the inning.

8:18 p.m.: Gavin Gallaher bounces one to third for the first out of the inning. One down.

8:16 p.m.: Lineup and defensive change for Tennessee as Colby Backus comes in for Hunter Ensley in center. Ensley looked to have gotten banged up a bit after making his catch into the wall in the first inning. More to come.

Bottom of 4th Inning: Tennessee 3, UNC 0

8:14 p.m.: Shea Sprague gets Dean Curley looking for the third out of the inning. North Carolina heads to the fifth inning down 3-0 to Tennessee.

8:11 p.m.: Tennessee takes a 3-0 lead as Kavares Tears hits a 3-run home run off of Shea Sprague into the bullpen in right field. First time Sprague lost control of his changeup on the night.

8:10 p.m.: Nice comeback from Shea Sprague as he goes to a back door changeup to get Hunter Ensley swinging for the second out. Two down.

8:09 p.m.: Tough break for North Carolina as Luke Stevenson runs out of room on a pop up from Hunter Ensley behind the plate.

8:06 p.m.: Shea Sprague issues another walk on Dylan Dreiling to put runners on first and second for Tennessee with one out. Big jam here for Sprague to work out of.

8:05 p.m.: Another pick-off attempt from Shea Sprague was unsuccessful.

8:03 p.m.: Shea Sprague goes up with a fastball and gets the call from the home plate umpire for the punch out on Billy Amick. One down.

8:02 p.m.: Pick off move was not successful for Shea Sprague as he tried to get Blake Burke dancing at first.

8 p.m.: Shea Sprague tried to get Blake Burke chasing on an elevated fastball but Burke pokes one into left for a lead-off single. Tough break for Sprague who placed the pitch where he wanted it.

7:58 p.m.: Scott Forbes tells ESPN's Kris Budden that he likes how Shea Sprague is in "complete control" on the mound thus far against the No. 1 national seed Volunteers.

Top of 4th Inning: UNC 0, Tennessee 0

7:56 p.m.: Tar Heels leave one on base in the inning as Anthony Donofrio chases an upstairs fastball from Drew Beam for the third out of the inning. Fifth strikeout of the night for Tar Heels hitters.

7:55 p.m.: Drew Beam attempts to pick off Parks Harber at first but Harber gets in safely before the throw gets there.

7:53 p.m.: Parks Harber records the first hit of the night for either side on a blooper into right field. First base runner of the night for the Tar Heels.

7:52 p.m.: Casey Cook strikes out for the second out of the inning. Two down.

7:51 p.m.: Vance Honeycutt attempts to lay down a bunt but Drew Beam retires him at first. Another first pitch swing and out for the Tar Heels. Beam is averaging 2.2 pitches per out. One down for UNC.

Bottom of 3rd Inning: UNC 0, Tennessee 0

7:48 p.m.: Second 1-2-3 inning of the night for Shea Sprague as Christian Moore flies out to center for the third out. Scoreless through three innings in Omaha.

7:46 p.m.: Shea Sprague continues to deal as he picks up his third strikeout of the night. Tar Heels southpaw has mixed up his pitches nicely through the first time through the Vols lineup.

7:45 p.m.: Anthony Donofrio tracks one down in right for the first out.

Top of 3rd Inning: UNC 0, Tennessee 0

7:42 p.m.: Tar Heels don't give Shea Sprague much of a breather between innings as Colby Wilkerson strikes out of the third out. Rough start to the night for North Carolina hitters against Drew Beam who is at 21 pitches through three innings.

7:41 p.m.: Another quick out for North Carolina as Alex Madera grounds out to shortstop on the first pitch of his at-bat. Two down. Tar Heels swinging early here against Drew Beam.

7:41 p.m.: Jackson Van De Brake pops one up on the first pitch of the third inning. Not a great start to the inning for the Tar Heels.

Bottom of 2nd Inning: UNC 0, Tennessee 0

7:37 p.m.: Nice bounce back from Shea Sprague as he gets Dean Curley to fly out to right for the final out of the inning.

7:35 p.m.: Quick easy out for the Tar Hells as Kavares Tears grounds into a fielder's choice at second. Alex Madera retires Tears at first as Dreiling advances to second. Two down.

7:34 p.m.: Gavin Gallaher makes a nice catch at third to retire Hunter Ensley for the first out. Gallaher attempted to pull off the double play but his throw was offline. One down.

7:33 p.m.: Shea Sprague gives up a lead-off walk to Dylan Dreiling. First base runner of the night for Sprague to work against.

Top of 2nd Inning: UNC 0, Tennessee 0

7:29 p.m.: Tar Heels go down 1-2-3 for the second consecutive inning as Luke Stevenson grounds out to second for the final out of the inning.

7:27 p.m.: Gavin Gallaher flies out to center for the second out. Two down.

7:26 p.m.: Anthony Donofrio lifts one deep to center but is robbed of an extra-base hit by Tennessee center fielder Hunter Ensley. One down.

Bottom of 1st Inning: UNC 0, Tennessee 0

7:23 p.m.: Nice start to the night for Shea Sprague as gets back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. Anthony Donofrio to lead it off for the Tar Heels in the second.

7:22 p.m.: Shea Sprague wins the battle with Blake Burke as he strikes out the Vols first baseman on the off-speed pitch. Two down for UNC.

7:16 p.m.: WOAH! Colby Wilkerson makes an incredible play from on his knees to retire Christian Moore at first base for the first out of the inning. Big time defensive play for the Tar Heels. Ball came 115 mph off the bat of Moore's.

7:15 p.m.: Shea Sprague's night begins with a first-pitch strike on Vols star second baseman Christian Moore, who became just the second player ever to hit for the cycle at the CWS on Friday vs. Florida State.

Top of 1st Inning: UNC 0, Tennessee 0

7:13 p.m.: Play is overturned after review. Tar Heels go down 1-2-3 in the top of the first.

7:12 p.m.: Parks Harber is called safe at first as Christian Moore's throw pulls Blake Burke off of first. Play looks to be going to review.

7:11 p.m.: Casey Cooks strikes out swinging. Two down for UNC.

7:09 p.m.: Vance Honeycutt misses the fastball on the outside edge and strikes out looking for the first out of the night. Casey Cook is up to bat for the Tar Heels.

7:07 p.m.: And we are underway as Vance Honeycutt steps into the box. Play ball!

Pregame

7 p.m.: Tar Heels looking for more magic from Vance Honeycutt tonight vs. Tennessee after his walk-off hit Friday vs. Virginia. MLB Pipeline has Honeycutt as a top-20 prospect and projected first-round pick in next month's MLB draft.

6:57 p.m.: First pitch is just minutes away in Omaha! Tar Heels are the away team tonight vs. the Vols.

6:46 p.m.: Fun fact provided by UNC's media notes, the Tar Heels are 2-2 all-time when playing Father's Day with wins over Clemson (2006) and LSU (2008) and losses to Rice (2007) and NC State (2013).

6:32 p.m.: Here's the lineup Scott Forbes is putting out Sunday night vs. Tennessee in the College World Series:

6:30 p.m.: First pitch is 30 minutes away. Tar Heels enter Sunday night's heavyweight matchup with the Vols leading the all-time series 5-2.

6:22 p.m.: The Tar Heels are looking to move 2-0 in the College World Series for the first time since 2006, when they finished as the national runner-up.

6:20 p.m.: Tar Heels were gifted new Air Jordan 11 lows last night at the team hotel for making it to the College World Series:

6:17 p.m.: Shea Sprague will be on the bump tonight vs. Tennessee for UNC. The Tar Heels junior left-hander is 3-1 on the season with a 4.00 ERA in 74 ⅓ innings pitch. His last start came against West Virginia in the Chapel Hill Super Regional (6/7) where he last five innings and struck out six but gave up five runs (four earned).

6:15 p.m.: Batting practice is complete at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha for the Tar Heels. First pitch 45 minutes away!

What channel is North Carolina baseball vs Tennessee?

• TV channel: ESPN2

• Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

North Carolina baseball’s game against Tennessee will air on ESPN2.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, ESPN+ and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

UNC baseball vs Tennessee start time

• Date: Sunday, June 16

• Time: 7 p.m. ET

First pitch for the Tar Heels’ game against the Volunteers is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

North Carolina baseball schedule 2024

Below is North Carolina's postseason schedule. For the Tar Heels' full 2024 schedule, click here.

Chapel Hill Regional

• Friday, May 31: North Carolina 11, LIU 9

• Saturday, June 1: North Carolina 6, LSU 2

• Sunday, June 2: LSU 8, North Carolina 4

• Monday, June 3: North Carolina 4, LSU 3 (10 innings)

Chapel Hill Super Regional

• Friday, June 7: North Carolina 8, West Virginia 6

• Saturday, June 8: North Carolina 2, West Virginia 1

College World Series

• Friday, June 14: North Carolina 3, Virginia 2

• Sunday, June 16: vs. Tennessee

Tennessee baseball schedule 2024

Below is Tennessee’s postseason schedule. For the Volunteers’ full 2024 schedule, click here.

Knoxville Regional

• Friday, May 31: Tennessee 9, Northern Kentucky 3

• Saturday, June 1: Tennessee 12, Indiana 6

• Sunday, June 2: Tennessee 12, Southern Miss 3

Knoxville Super Regional

• Friday, June 7: Tennessee 11, Evansville 6

• Saturday, June 8: Evansville 10, Tennessee 8

• Sunday, June 9: Tennessee 12, Evansville 1

College World Series

• Friday, June 14: Tennessee 12, Florida State 11

• Sunday, June 16: vs. North Carolina

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC baseball vs Tennessee final score, updates, highlights from CWS matchup