University of North Carolina Athletics
Jason DeCaro - Patterson Medal Winners
Jason DeCaro
- Induction:
- 2026
- Class:
- 2026
2026 – Jason DeCaro: Baesball (North Port, N.Y.)
DeCaro helped lead the Tar Heels to the Men's College World Series in 2024 and 2026 and an ACC Tournament championship in 2025.
Over three seasons, he went 26-7 with an earned run average of 3.46. He allowed a .236 batting average and is the first pitcher to strike out 200 or more batters under head coach Scott Forbes, punching out 247 in 270.1 innings.
DeCaro went 6-1, 9-3 and 11-3 in his three seasons and is tied for eighth all-time at UNC with 26 wins.
He earned first-team All-America honors in 2026, was a three-time All-ACC honoree and was a  Freshman All-America in 2024.
His signature outing came at Boshamer Stadium this past June, as the Tar Heels staved off elimination in the NCAA Super Regionals on the strength of DeCaro's complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win over Southern California. He struck out eight, walked one and gave up only two hits. It was the first complete game shutout by a Tar Heel in the NCAA Tournament in 15 seasons.
One week later, DeCaro became the second Tar Heel pitcher to start two College World Series openers. He tied his career high with nine strikeouts in leading Carolina to a 6-2 win over Ole Miss in Game 1 of the 2026 CWS. The nine strikeouts were the second-most by a Tar Heel in a CWS game.Â
DeCaro is the 19th baseball player to win the Patterson Medal and the first pitcher since Robert Woodard in 2007.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the third round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.
"Jason is an extraordinary pitcher, a big-time competitor and exceptional young man," says head coach Scott Forbes. "He has been a leader in our program and a rock in our pitching rotation for three years, leading us to two College World Series appearances and two ACC championships. Jason has been and will continue to be a great representative of our program and this university both on the field and in the community. There is no one more deserving of this honor."Â
DeCaro helped lead the Tar Heels to the Men's College World Series in 2024 and 2026 and an ACC Tournament championship in 2025.
Over three seasons, he went 26-7 with an earned run average of 3.46. He allowed a .236 batting average and is the first pitcher to strike out 200 or more batters under head coach Scott Forbes, punching out 247 in 270.1 innings.
DeCaro went 6-1, 9-3 and 11-3 in his three seasons and is tied for eighth all-time at UNC with 26 wins.
He earned first-team All-America honors in 2026, was a three-time All-ACC honoree and was a  Freshman All-America in 2024.
His signature outing came at Boshamer Stadium this past June, as the Tar Heels staved off elimination in the NCAA Super Regionals on the strength of DeCaro's complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win over Southern California. He struck out eight, walked one and gave up only two hits. It was the first complete game shutout by a Tar Heel in the NCAA Tournament in 15 seasons.
One week later, DeCaro became the second Tar Heel pitcher to start two College World Series openers. He tied his career high with nine strikeouts in leading Carolina to a 6-2 win over Ole Miss in Game 1 of the 2026 CWS. The nine strikeouts were the second-most by a Tar Heel in a CWS game.Â
DeCaro is the 19th baseball player to win the Patterson Medal and the first pitcher since Robert Woodard in 2007.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the third round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.
"Jason is an extraordinary pitcher, a big-time competitor and exceptional young man," says head coach Scott Forbes. "He has been a leader in our program and a rock in our pitching rotation for three years, leading us to two College World Series appearances and two ACC championships. Jason has been and will continue to be a great representative of our program and this university both on the field and in the community. There is no one more deserving of this honor."Â
Friday, October 30
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Thursday, October 29
