Sixth-straight ACC series victory vaults UNC baseball into Top 5 of April 28 Coaches Poll
UNC started its weekend series with a 15-5, record-setting domination of the host Panthers (20-21, 6-15 ACC), then broke back into the winning column with a 6-0 shutout victory on Sunday. Gavin Gallaher tied North Carolina's (33-10, 15-9 ACC) single-game home run record in Friday's blowout, then Jason DeCaro hurled seven shutout innings on Sunday.
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The Diamond Heels maintained their positioning near a crowded top of the ACC, finding themselves 1.5 games behind rival NC State for first place.
With another successful weekend, it should come as no surprise that UNC climbed in the latest rankings. North Carolina launched itself five spots in the April 28 USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, trailing just LSU (second) and top-ranked Texas.
The Diamond Heels are also the highest-ranked ACC team, just a spot ahead of Clemson and five spots ahead of Florida State.
UNC has midweek games on Tuesday, April 29 against George Mason and the following day against Queens, then off this coming weekend before hosting Campbell on May 6.
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Whereas North Carolina won a majority of its 2024 games due to a loaded offense, the story of 2025 is starting pitching. Jake Knapp, Aidan Haugh and Jason DeCaro all have earned run averages under 4.00, while Knapp's nine victores are the second most in Division I.
Can the Diamond Heels maintain their successful brand of baseball in the postseason? We're hoping so, as UNC looks to make its second-consecutive College World Series appearance.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC baseball ranked third in April 28 USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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