The brackets are getting smaller as the College World Series rolls on, and the Arizona State Sun Devils were able to stay alive in the tournament by defeating and eliminating the North Carolina Tarheels 12-5 Thursday night.

In a rematch from Sunday’s Bracket Two opener which ASU won 5-2 in ten innings, UNC came out strong by going up 4-0.  Designated hitter Jacob Stallins drove in UNC’s first two runs on a sacrafice bunt in the second and fourth, and RBI singles from Mike Cavasinni and Ryan Graepel gave the Tarheels their last lead of the game.

"Rosenblatt has cleared out in a hurry! That's what happens when a team scores 11 unanswered runs... #CWS" TwitPic posted by @keithcavey

But ASU was able to tie it up 4-4 off a grand slam with a 3-2 count by Kole Calhoun in the fifth — the third home run for in the series for Calhoun who was passed over for the MLB draft this year — and it was downhill for the Tarheels after that.

In the bottom of the seventh, Calhoun got a two-run RBI double to give ASU their first lead of the night.  Then UNC loaded the bases with one out and another wild pitch from Matt Harvey  — three for the night  — allowed Calhoun to come in from third to put the score 7-4.  A single by Zac MacPhee allowed two more runs, and then a base hit brought in two more to give the Sun Devils a sizable lead at 11-4.  Another run came in off a Carlos Ramirez RBI single to make it 12-4 and finally end the seventh.

At the top of the ninth, UNC tried to come back by narrowing ASU’s lead to seven with an RBI single from Kyle Seager to bring in Dustin Ackley, but it wasn’t enough to dig the ‘Heels out of their seven-run hole. Along with the wild pitches, UNC’s usual excellent pitching also allowed nine walks.  The Tarheels have had four straight 40-win seasons and four straight appearances in the College World Series.

But UNC fans aren’t so happy their Tarheels have made another trip to Omaha without bringing home a title, and some even leaving Rosenblatt early:

1. 
   keithcavey Longest. Inning. Ever. My brother and I are joining the mass exodus from the ‘Blatt. This one’s over. #CWS 19 Jun 2009 from PockeTwit
2. 
   kennethnshaw Looks like the end of the road for the Heels in the CWS. Another great year though. Congrats! 19 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   GreggMarkham So I guess I’ll be pulling for the Hogs in the CWS. 19 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   Ray_Peterson Carolina has had a core meltdown in CWS. Pitching strike demon, bored with my weak defenses against its power, moved to Omaha. 19 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   BreezyB35 Unc… Why must u make it all the way to the CWS each year just to bomb it when u get there? Please stop letting me down… Thank u lol 19 Jun 2009 from UberTwitter
6. 
   animal2005 The ACC will not end their drought in Omaha this year. Wake Forest last won it all for ACC in 1955. Nice try Cavs. Way to battle Heels. #cws 19 Jun 2009 from web
7. 
   crunkcourt Good season Heels. We still love you. 4 CWS in a row is an amazing accomplishment! 19 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

With ASU advancing to play Texas tomorrow, Sun Devils’ fans are hoping for a similar performance:

1. 
   NolieB Arizona State is kicking ass in the CWS! 19 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   parsonroy Watching UNC get killed in CWS. Had hoped they would do well. 19 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   stearnscd @rerunnat of course i watch the CWS! and i LOVE the fact that carolina is getting killed right now!! 19 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   andrewryno ASU is 3 outs away from moving on in the CWS. They are up 12-4 so I don’t see much chance for the Tar Heels. 19 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   cmedders is on the ground at SJC and thrilled to see that the tide has turned in the ASU game..Go Devils! #cws #fb 19 Jun 2009 from mobile web
6. 
   thedl Nice work Devils. Bounce back for some T-sippin’ tomorrow #cws 19 Jun 2009 from txt

Arizona State will face Texas Friday at 6 p.m. CT after LSU takes on Arkansas for a rematch at 1 p.m. CT.

Are you enjoying the CWS? Is your team still in it? Who do you think will win it all? Post your comment below or tweet @BTsports!

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