CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Dustin Ackley hit a three-run homer and Adam Warren took a shutout into the eighth inning to help North Carolina beat East Carolina 9-3 today and clinch its fourth straight trip to the College World Series.

The Tar Heels (47-16) swept the best-of-three series against their instate rival to clinch the super regional title. North Carolina, the No. 4 national seed, won Saturday's opener 10-1, then followed with another dominant performance against the Pirates (46-20).

Kyle Seager had a two-run single in the third inning for an early lead, then North Carolina increased that margin when Ackley hit a line drive over the left-field wall in a five-run sixth that made it 7-0.