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GULFPORT - North Carolina moved a step closer toward Little League's biggest stage Wednesday, defeating South Carolina 9-5.
The team from Morganton completed the round-robin portion of the Southeast Region Tournament undefeated and was two wins from the World Series at Williamsport, Penn.
Catcher Chris Fine and pitcher Trevor Tallent sparked North Carolina's offense, leading an 11-hit attack against four pitchers from South Carolina's representative, the Tega Cay/Fort Mills Yellow Jackets.
North Carolina was ahead 1-0 in the second when Aaron Attaway hit a two-out single to leftfield. Fine extend the inning by drawing a walk, allowing Tallent to slam a 2-2 pitch over the wall in center for a three-run homer. South Carolina rallied to keep the game close in the third when Hunter Johnson broke Tallent's no-hitter with a line-drive single to leftfield. Tallent lost his control with two outs and walked Alex Tomasovich and Shell McCain to load the bases.
Jordan Griffin then walked to bring home Johnson. Alex Baker followed with a run-scoring single to centerfield.
Tallent redeemed himself in the fourth by hitting his second home run to drive in two more North Carolina runs. Tallent's three hits at the Southeast Regional have all been home runs. Tallent hit a home run Sunday in a win over West Virginia.
"I'm hitting the ball pretty well," Tallent said. "The pitching wasn't too good (Wednesday), but I made it up with my bat."
North Carolina tagged on three runs in the sixth to end South Carolina's hopes of a semifinal berth. A South Carolina win would have created a three-way tie for first in Pool I.
"I think everyone was ready for the win," Fine said.
North Carolina faces Florida tonight at 7 for a chance to play in the nationally televised championship game Saturday. Morganton coach Alen Lail commended the team for coming through at the plate, but knows batting can be a fickle element of the game. Through three games, North Carolina is batting .333 with five home runs and 27 hits.
"They can turn it on and off like a light switch," Lail said. "The kids are starting to gel at the right time."
Tallent leads the tournament with three home runs, but it is Fine who has effectively set the table. Fine is batting .500 (4-for-8) in front of Tallent and has scored eight runs.
North Carolina pitchers Andrew Martin and Eli Lawson will be eligible to play in today's semifinal. Martin pitched a complete-game shutout over West Virginia earlier in the week. Lawson combined with Dykota Spiess to defeat Virginia on Monday.