OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — North Carolina’s Hobbs Johnson combined with Chris McCue on a five-hitter, and the Tar Heels stayed alive in the College World Series with a 7-0 victory over North Carolina State on Thursday night. Michael Russell drove in three runs for the No. 1-seeded Tar Heels (59-11), the first on a sacrifice fly that resulted in a close play at the plate to open the scoring in the fourth inning. Johnson allowed five singles, walked two and struck out six before leaving with one out in the ninth.

NC State’s Carlos Rodon started on three days rest after throwing 108 pitches in an 8-1 win over Carolina. He gave up two runs on four hits and threw 80 pitches in his five innings. Carolina must beat UCLA twice — first on Friday and again Saturday — to reach the finals. North Carolina State finished 50-16.