Chapel Hill, NC – The Boshamer Stadium magic ran dry for the No. 5 national seed North Carolina Tar Heels on Sunday night, as the Oklahoma Sooners delivered a 9-5 upset in Game 6 of the Chapel Hill Regional, forcing a winner-take-all showdown for a Super Regional berth. With their season on the line, the Sooners’ relentless offense and opportunistic hitting exposed a rare off-night for UNC’s vaunted pitching staff, setting the stage for a dramatic Monday finale.
The Tar Heels (44-13), riding high after a 4-0 shutout of Holy Cross and an 11-5 rout of Oklahoma on Saturday, entered Sunday’s regional final needing one win to advance. But Oklahoma (37-21), fresh off a 17-1 demolition of Nebraska in an elimination game earlier Sunday, refused to go quietly. The Sooners, led by a five-run sixth inning, battered UNC’s pitching for 12 hits, including a pivotal two-run homer by designated hitter Drew Dickerson, to seize control and stun the Boshamer faithful.
The game started ominously for UNC. Oklahoma third baseman Dawson Willis, whose first-inning error sparked UNC’s six-run explosion on Saturday, redeemed himself with a solo homer in the third off Tar Heel starter Aidan Haugh, giving the Sooners a 1-0 lead. Haugh, a sophomore lefty, battled through five innings but surrendered three runs on six hits, struggling to find the 1-2-3 inning UNC needed. The Tar Heels’ bullpen, typically a strength with a 3.42 team ERA (fourth nationally), faltered as five relievers combined to allow six runs, with Olin Johnson taking the loss after Dickerson’s sixth-inning blast put Oklahoma ahead for good.
UNC’s offense, which had feasted on Oklahoma ace Kyson Witherspoon the night before, couldn’t find the same rhythm against freshman lefty Jaden Barfield (1-0, 3.86 ERA). Barfield scattered five runs over 5.2 innings, keeping the Tar Heels’ potent lineup—led by Vance Honeycutt and Luke Stevenson, who combined for 37 homers this season—at bay. UNC managed 10 hits, with Gavin Gallaher continuing his torrid regional (4-for-5, 2 RBIs), but stranded eight runners and went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. A late rally in the eighth, sparked by Alex Madera’s RBI single, fizzled as Oklahoma closer Ryan Crooks induced a double play to end the threat.
Oklahoma’s offense, paced by Easton Carmichael (.321, 14 HRs) and Dasan Harris (3-for-5, RBI), capitalized on 10 free passes from UNC’s staff, including six walks and four hit-by-pitches. The Sooners’ six leadoff opportunities kept the pressure on, and their five-run sixth—capped by Kyle Branch’s RBI single—blew the game open at 7-3.
The loss snapped UNC’s perfect 2-0 regional start, where Jake Knapp’s 8.1 scoreless innings against Holy Cross and Jason DeCaro’s eight-strikeout gem against Oklahoma showcased their pitching prowess. Now, the Tar Heels face a do-or-die Game 7 on Monday at 3 p.m. (ESPNU), with their season and a second straight Super Regional hosting opportunity on the line. Oklahoma, seeking their first Super Regional since 2022, will counter with an all-hands-on-deck pitching approach after burning Barfield.
Next Up: UNC and Oklahoma clash in Game 7 at 3 p.m. Monday (ESPNU). The winner advances to face Arizona in the Super Regional, while the loser’s season ends. The Tar Heels, 36-10 in home regionals, will lean on their depth and home-field edge to avoid a stunning exit.