N.C. State Eliminates USC, 2-1

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Matt Payne's run-scoring infield single in

the seventh inning lifted North Carolina State past South Carolina

2-1 Sunday in the Raleigh Regional championship.

The Wolfpack (41-20) claimed the third regional title in school

history and first since they claimed their 2003 regional in Wilson.

They advance to face the champion of the regional in Athens, Ga. -

either Georgia or Georgia Tech - in next weekend's best-of-three

super regional series.

N.C. State broke a 1-all tie in the seventh. Chris Schaeffer and

Drew Martin hit one-out singles and Ryan Pond walked to load the

bases. Matt Payne hit a grounder deep into the hole at shortstop,

and when Reese Havens couldn't make a play, Schaeffer scored the

go-ahead run.