Stevenson & DeCaro Named Preseason All-Americas By Perfect Game
January 7, 2025 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina baseball catcher Luke Stevenson and pitcher Jason DeCaro have earned preseason All-America honors Perfect Game announced on Tuesday afternoon. Stevenson was named the catcher for the first team with DeCaro amongst the starters on the third.
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The sophomore duo are expected to be key contributors for a North Carolina team hoping to get back to Omaha coming off its 12th trip to the College World Series in 2024. DeCaro and Stevenson had outstanding rookie seasons for the Tar Heels, earning Perfect Game First Team Freshman All-America accolades and All-ACC honors.
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Stevenson started all but one game for Carolina behind the dish, recording a .284 batting average with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs. Showing off an impressive eye for a freshman, he led the team in walks (48) and was fifth in OPS (.955). He demonstrated the threat he poses by becoming the first UNC player since at least 1998 with eight RBIs in an ACC game in a win over Louisville.
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The North Port, N.Y., native DeCaro wasted no time cementing himself as a regular starter in the Tar Heel rotation. He made 18 starts and posted a 6-1 record with a 1.32 WHIP. By the end of the season, he finished among the top five in the ACC in ERA (3.81), opposing batting average (.221), innings pitched (89.2), fewest hits allowed per nine innings (7.43) and batters struck out looking (25).Â
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Carolina was dangerous both at the plate and on the mound last season and these two hope to keep the momentum going. In 2024 the Tar Heels lead the ACC in both home runs hit (115, program record) and earned runs allowed (4.30).
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Stevenson and DeCaro will trot back onto the field at Boshamer Stadium on Feb. 14 when the Heels host Texas Tech in their season opener.
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The sophomore duo are expected to be key contributors for a North Carolina team hoping to get back to Omaha coming off its 12th trip to the College World Series in 2024. DeCaro and Stevenson had outstanding rookie seasons for the Tar Heels, earning Perfect Game First Team Freshman All-America accolades and All-ACC honors.
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Stevenson started all but one game for Carolina behind the dish, recording a .284 batting average with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs. Showing off an impressive eye for a freshman, he led the team in walks (48) and was fifth in OPS (.955). He demonstrated the threat he poses by becoming the first UNC player since at least 1998 with eight RBIs in an ACC game in a win over Louisville.
Â
The North Port, N.Y., native DeCaro wasted no time cementing himself as a regular starter in the Tar Heel rotation. He made 18 starts and posted a 6-1 record with a 1.32 WHIP. By the end of the season, he finished among the top five in the ACC in ERA (3.81), opposing batting average (.221), innings pitched (89.2), fewest hits allowed per nine innings (7.43) and batters struck out looking (25).Â
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Carolina was dangerous both at the plate and on the mound last season and these two hope to keep the momentum going. In 2024 the Tar Heels lead the ACC in both home runs hit (115, program record) and earned runs allowed (4.30).
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Stevenson and DeCaro will trot back onto the field at Boshamer Stadium on Feb. 14 when the Heels host Texas Tech in their season opener.
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Players Mentioned
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