CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Kent Emanuel threw eight shutout innings in his NCAA tournament debut, leading North Carolina to a 4-0 victory over Maine on Friday night in the Chapel Hill Regional.
Jacob Stallings hit a three-run homer as part of a four-run first inning for the Tar Heels (46-14), who managed just three hits after that but advanced to play James Madison on Saturday.
Emanuel (7-1), the first freshman to start North Carolina’s NCAA opener since 2008, struck out five and gave up seven hits before Michael Morin relieved him in the ninth. Emanuel allowed only three Maine baserunners to reach second, and only one made it to third.
Keith Bilodeau (10-3) struck out six and allowed five hits in eight innings, but gave up all four runs for Maine (32-23), which will play Florida International in an elimination game.
