CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — Southern California defeated North Carolina 9-5 on Friday afternoon and evening at Boshamer Stadium. The Trojans improved to 48-16, while the Tar Heels fell to 48-12-1.

USC broke open a tight game with a four-run sixth inning highlighted by Dean Carpentier’s grand slam, his fourth home run of the season. Kevin Takeuchi went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice, and Andrew Lamb added a solo homer. Southern California tallied 11 hits and two sacrifice hits.

The Trojans’ pitching staff held North Carolina to nine hits. Reliever Andrew Johnson was the star, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out two. Mason Edwards worked three innings but allowed three runs, one unearned.

North Carolina scored single runs in the second, third and fifth innings. Colin Hynek drove in two runs with a double and a single. Starting pitcher Ryan Lynch allowed six hits and four earned runs over 5 2/3 innings.

The teams meet again Saturday in the second game of the series.