Archer powers S. Miss. to 7-6 win

Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Joey Archer drove in three runs, reliever Scott Copeland pitched three scoreless innings and Southern Mississippi beat Florida 7-6 on Sunday night to advance to the College World Series for the first time in school history.

The Golden Eagles (40-24), the surprise of the NCAA tournament, overcame a five-run deficit to win for the 12th time in 15 games. The hot streak started shortly after coach Corky Palmer announced his retirement. Now, he’ll get a storybook send-off in Omaha, Neb.

Archer had an RBI double in the fourth, then drove in two runs with a single in the three-run eighth off Billy Bullock (3-3). Tyler Koelling followed with a grounder to shortstop that should’ve been an ending-inning double play with the game tied at 6. But first baseman Preston Tucker couldn’t field the throw that skipped in the dirt.

Tucker singled in the ninth to give the Gators (42-22) a chance, but closer Collin Cargill got Josh Adams to hit into a game-ending double play for his 13th save.

Virginia 5, Mississippi 1

OXFORD, Miss. — Virginia is headed to its first College World Series after beating Mississippi to win the super regional series.

Matt Packer, in his third appearance of the series, and three others combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed just seven hits as the Cavaliers (48-13-1) set the school record for wins in a season. Virginia improved to 5-1 since the NCAA tournament began and has done it with pitching, allowing just nine earned runs.

The Rebels (44-20) have lost four straight super regionals over the last five seasons.

North Carolina 9, East Carolina 3

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Dustin Ackley hit a three-run homer and Adam Warren took a shutout into the eighth inning to help North Carolina beat East Carolina and clinch its fourth straight trip to the College World Series.

The Tar Heels (47-16) swept the best-of-three series against their instate rival to clinch the super regional title. Warren (9-2) allowed eight hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings against the Pirates (46-20).

TCU 3, Texas 2

AUSTIN, Texas — Matt Vern and Matt Carpenter each hit home runs and TCU edged top national seed Texas 3-2 to force a deciding third game in the super regional.

Vern hit a two-run shot in the fourth inning off Texas starter Cole Green to give the Horned Frogs (40-17) a quick lead. Carpenter made it 3-0 with his solo homer off Green (5-3) in the sixth.