OMAHA, Neb. — A Fresno State team that struggled to make it to the College World Series rewarded itself with an easy win in its first game here.

Danny Muno, Alan Ahmady and Jordan Ribera launched three-run homers and the Bulldogs' amazing postseason run continued yesterday with a stunning 17-5 victory over Rice.

The Bulldogs — the ultimate underdogs as the first No. 4 regional seed to reach Omaha — broke open the game against their one-time Western Athletic Conference nemesis with a seven-run fourth inning.

They didn't stop there, rolling up the highest number of runs allowed by Rice this season on their way to their 12th win in 14 games.

"That has been a big part of what has gotten us this far," center fielder Gavin Hedstrom said. "We like proving we're better than people say we are."

Fresno overcame an 8-12 start and a long road through the NCAA tournament to win a CWS bid for the first time since 1991. The Bulldogs won a tough regional at Long Beach State and a three-game super regional at No. 3 national seed Arizona State.

They've done it without top pitcher Tanner Scheppers, the Pittsburgh Pirates' second-round draft pick who has been out since May with a shoulder injury.

Fresno (43-29) will play North Carolina (52-12) tomorrow night. Rice (47-14) meets LSU (48-18-1) that afternoon.

"These guys have been through an awful lot, and each week and each game they've felt better about themselves," Fresno State coach Mike Batesole said. "Coming out and doing what they did today against a really good team and a really good pitcher should help us Tuesday."

Fresno's big offensive day came against a Rice pitching staff that ranked fifth nationally with a 3.63 ERA and had given up just 38 homers in 60 games.

"Not exactly what we hoped for," Rice coach Wayne Graham said. "I thought Fresno State did an incredible job of hitting today. It's hard to hit the ball that well in batting practice. Every time we made a bad pitch, they drove it. When we made a good pitch, they fought it off. They were able to capitalize on everything we did."

UNC 8, LSU 4

Alex White kept LSU's potent offense mostly under wraps for seven-plus innings and Kyle Seager, Seth Williams and Ryan Graepel had three hits apiece to lead the Tar Heels past the Tigers.

White (11-3) gave up home runs to Michael Hollander and Matt Clark leading off the first and second innings, then allowed only two singles through seven innings.

LSU threatened in the eighth, but reliever Brian Moran struck out Clark with the bases loaded, then got Leon Landry to ground into an inning-ending double play although television replays indicated Landry was safe by a step.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri argued to no avail, telling umpire Jack Cox, "It wasn't even close."