OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Colin Hynek’s three-run homer broke open a close game in the eighth inning and sent North Carolina to a 6-2 win over Mississippi in the College World Series. The Tar Heels had just three hits through seven innings and led 3-2 when Hynek ripped Walker Hook’s first pitch to him out to left with two outs. Carolina will face West Virginia on Sunday with control of Bracket 1 at stake. Mississippi will try to stave off elimination against Troy on Sunday. Caden Glauber pitched 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief for the win.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith was granted a temporary injunction by a South Carolina judge that prevents the NCAA from ruling him ineligible for the 2026 season. The NCAA denied Smith’s waiver for a fifth year after he played two seasons at a junior college, one year at Southeast Missouri State and last season with the Tigers. Smith responded with a lawsuit against the NCAA. Judge Jessica A. Salvini ruled in Smith’s favor based on precedent set when Malik Benson and Diego Pavia challenged NCAA eligibility rules for athletes coming from junior colleges.
CALEDON, Ontario (AP) — Ben James is making quite the impression in his professional debut. James has a one-shot lead in the RBC Canadian after a bogey-free 63 on the TPC Toronto. The four-time All-American from Virginia led the PGA Tour University ranking to earn a tour card through 27. This is his 10th time playing a PGA Tour event but the first time with a paycheck on the line. He leads over a group that includes Sam Burns. Brooks Koepka overcame a double bogey and shot a 68. He's in a large group two shots behind going into the weekend.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A record five SEC teams are in the College World Series and the last six national champions hail from the conference. But it’s not just the same old, same old this year, not with Troy and West Virginia squaring off in Friday’s opener as first-time participants on college baseball’s biggest stage. North Carolina plays Mississippi in the other Bracket 1 game. Play begins in the all-SEC Bracket 2 on Saturday with Oklahoma meeting Alabama and Georgia facing Texas.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — N.C. State is investigating potential legal claims against LSU tied to men’s basketball coach Will Wade leaving for a second stint coaching the Tigers. That includes whether LSU violated a North Carolina state law. N.C. State vice chancellor and general counsel Allison B. Newhart wrote to LSU counterpart Carlton Jones last week about the matter. Newhart’s letter from last Thursday states the school “has not agreed ... to release LSU from any liability” tied to Wade’s departure after one season with the Wolfpack in March. The timing of Wade's buyout to N.C. State is a key factor.
UNDATED (AP) — The controversy over gambling in college sports has intensified with Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's court victory. College players betting on their own teams is widely condemned, but resolving the issue is complex. This week, Nebraska and Georgia urged their coaches not to schedule games with Texas Tech. Meanwhile, the Big 12 is debating its response. The case highlights the challenges of regulating college sports, especially with legal sports gambling widespread and lucrative sponsorships involved. Without legal protections, the NCAA struggles to enforce rules, leaving the future of college sports governance uncertain.
