CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) – Top-seeded North Carolina broke open a close game with 11 runs in the sixth and seventh innings to beat Maine 15-7 in NCAA regional play on Friday.
North Carolina’s 15 runs tied the school record for runs in an NCAA tournament game, set in 1948 and tied in 1978.
Jay Cox led the attack with three hits, including a three-run home run and a two-run double. He was one of five Tar Heels with multiple hits in the game.
North Carolina (46-13) had to overcome early deficits of 4-1 and 6-4. Maine scored four runs in the third inning on four hits, including a three-run homer by freshman third baseman Kevin McAvoy.
North Carolina starter Robert Woodard was pulled in the fifth inning. His replacement, Matt Danford (6-1), surrendered back-to-back home runs to McAvoy and Kevin Ostrander in the sixth to give fourth-seeded Maine a 6-4 lead.
North Carolina had allowed just three home runs over its previous 24 games entering the game.
Black Bears starter Mike Powers (5-4) kept the Tar Heel bats in check for five innings before unraveling in the sixth. A two-run throwing error by Maine second baseman Danny Menendez on a Mike Cavasini chopper gave North Carolina an 8-6 lead it would not relinquish.
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