Jason DeCaro delivered a shutout, allowing just two hits as North Carolina defeated USC 4-0 on Saturday at Boshamer Stadium to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Chapel Hill Super Regional.

With their season on the line, the Tar Heels turned to their ace, and DeCaro responded with a dominant performance. He struck out eight batters and walked only one while throwing 117 pitches to stifle the Trojans' offense.

North Carolina's offense provided all the support DeCaro would need. Colin Hynek broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning with a solo home run to left field. Hynek finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Erik Paulsen extended the lead to 2-0 in the sixth with an opposite-field solo homer. The Tar Heels added insurance runs on sacrifice flies from Rom Kellis V in the sixth and Macon Winslow in the seventh. Owen Hull led the team with three hits, going 3-for-4, while Gavin Gallaher added two hits.

The USC offense, which rallied for a comeback win in Game 1, could never solve DeCaro. The Trojans managed only two singles all game, one from Adrian Lopez in the first inning and another from Dean Carpentier in the fifth. The loss stalls USC's attempt to reach its first Men's College World Series in 25 years.

USC starter Grant Govel pitched five innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out three. The North Carolina bullpen was never needed as DeCaro went the distance to keep his team's championship hopes alive.

Up next: North Carolina hosts USC in Game 3 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional at Boshamer Stadium on Sunday.

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