Ryan Lynch pitched seven shutout innings to lead North Carolina to an 8-0 victory over VCU in the North Carolina Regional opener Friday at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Lynch allowed just two hits and four walks while striking out five. Erik Paulsen delivered a two-run double, and Cooper Nicholson followed with an RBI single to stake the Tar Heels to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Nicholson, who went 3-for-5, extended the lead in the third inning with a solo home run. Paulsen finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Gavin Gallaher went 2-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and a stolen base, while Jake Schaffner went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Jacob Lee, who was 1-for-3 with a walk, and Nate Kirkpatrick, who went 1-for-4, had the Rams' only hits. Starting pitcher Patrick Steitz surrendered four earned runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings.

Walker McDuffie pitched a scoreless eighth inning for North Carolina. Matthew Matthijs struck out the side in the ninth.

Up next: VCU will play Tennessee in an elimination game Saturday at 12 p.m. ET. North Carolina takes on East Carolina in the winner's bracket Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.

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