UNC hit three home runs in the seventh inning to leave no doubt in its domination of Liberty in NCAA Regional play in Chapel Hill Saturday.

Dylan Harris homered in the second inning to give UNC a 1-0 lead before a single from Harris in the fourth inning extended the Tar Heels lead to 2-0.

Ashton McGee’s two-run home run gave Carolina some breathing room before Michael Busch hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning, followed by a home run from the next batter – ACC Freshman of the Year Aaron Sabato. The home run from Sabato was his 16th of the year, setting the record for most by a freshman in program history. Later in the seventh, Brandon Martorano hit a three-run blast to push UNC up 10-0.

UNC’s pitching staff cobbled together innings throughout the contest and kept Liberty off the board until the final stanza.

Insurance runs throughout the contest and a score from the Flames in the bottom of the ninth pushed the final score to 16-1.

UNC will now play Sunday evening with a chance to advance to Super Regional play. The Tar Heels will face the winner of second-seeded Tennessee and No. 3 Liberty, who will play an elimination game earlier Sunday. Liberty beat Tennessee in the opening game for each team of regional play on Friday night.