University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
NCBWA Names Three Tar Heels Preseason All-America
February 7, 2025 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its preseason All-America teams on Friday afternoon, tabbing three Carolina baseball players amongst the honorees.
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Tar Heel reliever Matthew Matthijs picked up the first team nod, his first of the year and second All-America designation of the preseason. Catcher Luke Stevenson made the second team with fellow sophomore Jason DeCaro on the third team.
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The sophomore campaign for Matthijs saw him complete the breakout after he flashed greatness as a freshman. In 2024, the Greenville, N.C., native led the ACC and ranked second among NCAA Division I pitchers in victories with 12 while also appearing in a conference best 36 games with a 3.72 ERA.
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Stevenson was named a Freshman All-America first teamer right alongside DeCaro after a 2024 season where he slashed .284/.420/.536 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a team-best 48 walks (ninth best in the conference). Big league eyes will be all over the Wake Forest, N.C. native as this offseason MLB.com listed him as the No. 1 catcher prospect heading into the upcoming draft.
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Big things are expected of DeCaro this season after a 2024 campaign where he posted a 6-2 record with 78 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of just .221. He ranked seventh nationally among NCAA Division I freshmen with a 3.81 ERA, sixth-best overall in the ACC while also leading the conference in starts (18).
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The trio will be back in Boshamer Stadium on Feb. 14 when the Heels host Texas Tech in their season opener.
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Tar Heel reliever Matthew Matthijs picked up the first team nod, his first of the year and second All-America designation of the preseason. Catcher Luke Stevenson made the second team with fellow sophomore Jason DeCaro on the third team.
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The sophomore campaign for Matthijs saw him complete the breakout after he flashed greatness as a freshman. In 2024, the Greenville, N.C., native led the ACC and ranked second among NCAA Division I pitchers in victories with 12 while also appearing in a conference best 36 games with a 3.72 ERA.
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Stevenson was named a Freshman All-America first teamer right alongside DeCaro after a 2024 season where he slashed .284/.420/.536 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a team-best 48 walks (ninth best in the conference). Big league eyes will be all over the Wake Forest, N.C. native as this offseason MLB.com listed him as the No. 1 catcher prospect heading into the upcoming draft.
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Big things are expected of DeCaro this season after a 2024 campaign where he posted a 6-2 record with 78 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of just .221. He ranked seventh nationally among NCAA Division I freshmen with a 3.81 ERA, sixth-best overall in the ACC while also leading the conference in starts (18).
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The trio will be back in Boshamer Stadium on Feb. 14 when the Heels host Texas Tech in their season opener.
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