CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — Gavin Gallaher hit a two-run homer in the first inning and North Carolina broke open a close game with a six-run seventh to beat South Carolina 9-1 on Tuesday night.

The Gamecocks took an early lead on Randolph’s RBI single in the first, but Gallaher’s two-run shot put the Tar Heels ahead for good. The game remained tight until the seventh, when North Carolina sent 11 batters to the plate, scoring six runs on four hits, three walks and three wild pitches.

Walker McDuffie earned the win in relief for North Carolina, striking out seven over 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Logan Prisco took the loss for South Carolina despite allowing just one earned run over 4 1/3 innings. North Carolina improved to 21-4-1, while South Carolina fell to .500 at 13-13.