DeCaro Leads Heels To Dominant Win, 10-0, In Series Opener Against ECU

Friday, February 20

Greenville, N.C.

5 PM

North Carolina

6-0

East Carolina

2-4

North Carolina

East Carolina

Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH

DeCaro Leads Heels To Dominant Win, 10-0, In Series Opener Against ECU

February 20, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

By: William Soulé

GREENVILLE, N.C. – A complete game shutout from Jason DeCaro and consistent offense throughout the lineup helped Carolina baseball secure a 10-0 eight-inning run-rule victory over in-state rivals ECU on Friday night in Clark-LeClair Stadium.

The Tar Heels (6-0) attacked the Pirates from all angles to pick up their third mercy rule win already this season.

It started on the mound, as preseason All-American Jason DeCaro tossed an absolute gem in completely shutting down ECU's attack on their home dirt. The complete game shutout saw DeCaro punch out seven while only giving up five hits and one walk.

The outing represents the star junior's first career complete game. East Carolina never managed to put more than one runner on base in the same inning and only reached third twice.

The offense provided plenty of support to keep the pressure off DeCaro, producing in ways both big and small. Every member of the Heels' lineup got a hit and six of nine added a free pass.

Early on the story was a pair of solo home runs from Erik Paulsen and Cooper Nicholson that got the ball rolling. Both corner infielders for the Tar Heels had a loud Friday night. Paulsen, the Stony Brook transfer, has started his Carolina career strong and kept his momentum rolling. He would supplement his home run with an RBI double and a walk.

Nicholson has been slower out of the gates in this still very young season, contributing defensively and by accumulating the second most free passes on the team before fully breaking out in Greenville. The Iowa Central Community College transfer went 2-2 with a home run, a 2 RBI double, two HBPs, and three runs scored in the series opener against the Pirates.

The Tar Heels will look to keep the good vibes going on Saturday when they face the Pirates again, this time in a neutral site contest at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. First pitch, expected to be thrown by Folger Boaz with Carolina serving as the home team, is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. There will be no stream of this game, so fans are encouraged to listen live to Matt Krause and Ben Mihailovich at goHeels.com/watch/live.