UNC Ends Southern Miss' Dream Season

Corky Palmer's magical season -- and coaching career -- at Southern Miss has ended.

Palmer and the Golden Eagles can blame their early exit from the College World Series on a number of factors, from jitters to pitching struggles, but it's the record-setting performance from Dustin Ackley that will certainly leave a lasting impression.

Ackley, the No. 2 overall selection of the Seattle Mariners in last week's major league amateur draft, went 5-for-6 and became the CWS' career hits leader in North Carolina's 11-4 victory over USM in an elimination game Tuesday at Rosenblatt Stadium.

The Tar Heels, making their fourth consecutive CWS appearance, will advance in bracket play while Palmer, known for his Southern charm and twang, can plan his retirement.

"We had a magical season, our kids played great and you can't ask more than we we've done over the past three weeks," said Palmer, who announced his retirement plans in April and was 458-281 in 12 seasons at USM. "I am real glad these guys let me work a little longer - it wasn't me, it was them."

More precisely, it was Ackley.

Ackley has 27 hits in 14 CWS games. His bid to become the second player to have six hits in a CWS game ended with a deep flyout to left field in the ninth inning. Ackley, who had four singles and a double, singled to left in the third inning to break the record of 24 career hits by Stanford's Sam Fuld (2001-03).

The Golden Eagles tipped their caps Ackley's way after the game.

"It seemed like every time I shaded the middle he'd hit it through the four-hole and every time I shaded the four-hole he'd hit it up the middle," USM second baseman James Ewing said of Ackley's at-bats.

"The guy can just flat-out hit. We always heard about him coming into this game, but to watch him -- the guy hits the ball where it's pitched. He's got great hand-eye coordination and you just can't strike him out. The only time we got him out, the ball was hit really hard. That was quite a show he put on for us today."

Ackley, who is expected to play outfield in professional baseball after starring at first base for the Tar Heels, admitted it was exciting to become the CWS' career hits leader. However, he was far more pleased his team avoided elimination and will play Thursday against the loser of Tuesday night's game between Arizona State and No. 1 national seed Texas.

"Today was one of those days where I was hitting the balls into the right hole," Ackley said.

"I was getting good hits. It's exciting to break the record. I heard about having the chance to do it, but it's bigger for us to win the game. With every game we get more and more relaxed. We've been in a lot of elimination games and we know what to do."



Like Ackley, the Tar Heels were pretty good, too, against the Golden Eagles. They banged out a CWS record-tying 23 hits. Ryan Graepel added four hits, Ben Bunting had three and Kyle Seager homered. UNC's Adam Warren allowed three hits and fanned six in six innings

USM, which walked in the winning run against Texas in its opener, struggled with its pitching again. Starter JR Ballinger was down 6-0 when he left with two outs in the third inning.

At that point Palmer knew the Golden Eagles were in for a long day. But he wasn't about to complain.

"It was a tough day, kind of my worst nightmare," Palmer said.

"North Carolina is a good club. They hit well, pitch well and played good defense. We just didn't match up very well with seven left-handers in the lineup. Going to Omaha, winning regionals and super regionals, this was the most satisfying season.

"It was a capper for us."