The West Virginia Mountaineers' (47-17) historic season came to end Wednesday afternoon after falling to the North Carolina Tar Heels (53-12-1) in the College World Series 12-7.
North Carolina seized the early lead after West Virginia starting pitcher Chansen Cole issued a walk to leadoff hitter Jake Schaffner. The junior stole second before junior Owen Hull hit a double to right centerfield to bring in the game's first run. Hull stole third but the throw got past junior third baseman Tyrus Hall as the Tar Heels took a 2-0 lead.
West Virginia got on the board in the bottom of the frame when junior Armani Guzman led the inning off with a walk, sophomore Gavin Kelly singled to left field, and senior Matthew Graveline hit an RBI single to centerfield.
Cole was run off the mound in the third after again walking Schaffner and give up a single to Hall and junior Gavin Gallaher drove in a run, prompting WVU head coach Steve Sabins to hand the ball to senior Ian Korn.
Junior Erik Paulsen kept the inning going with a single down the left field line before junior Copper Nicholson tripled of the right centerfield wall to bring in a pair of runs as the Tarheels raced to a 5-1 advantage.
