University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Diamond Heels' Trio Listed Among NCBWA Preseason All-America Honorees
February 6, 2026 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Three North Carolina baseball players earned Preseason All-America honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, the organization announced on Friday.Â
Veteran infielder Gavin Gallaher led the way on the second team as pitchers Jason DeCaro and Walker McDuffie made the third team. It is the third preseason All-America inclusion for Gallaher and DeCaro and the second for McDuffie.Â
The junior Gallaher slashed .325/.409/.603 with 17 home runs during a stellar sophomore campaign in 2025 while leading the team in hits (77) and RBIs (68). A nuclear run in the postseason earned him a second consecutive Chapel Hill Regional Most Outstanding Player award.
DeCaro was named second team All-ACC in 2025 thanks to a 9-3 record with a 3.78 ERA. He was second on the team in innings thrown (83.1) while racking up 70 strikeouts on just 26 walks.
McDuffie was an instant stalwart for the Tar Heels bullpen in his freshman season, racking up a team-high seven saves with a 3-3 record across 55.1 innings. He would finish the year with a 3.74 ERA on 72 strikeouts and just 25 walks.
That dynamic duo on the mound helped lead a pitching staff that had the third best ERA in the nation (3.47) and the best in the ACC for the second straight season. Alongside Gallaher, they pushed the Tar Heels to the program's 27th conference championship and 12th time hosting an NCAA Super Regional in 2025.
The Diamond Heels return to Boshamer Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13 for their season opener against Indiana.
Veteran infielder Gavin Gallaher led the way on the second team as pitchers Jason DeCaro and Walker McDuffie made the third team. It is the third preseason All-America inclusion for Gallaher and DeCaro and the second for McDuffie.Â
The junior Gallaher slashed .325/.409/.603 with 17 home runs during a stellar sophomore campaign in 2025 while leading the team in hits (77) and RBIs (68). A nuclear run in the postseason earned him a second consecutive Chapel Hill Regional Most Outstanding Player award.
DeCaro was named second team All-ACC in 2025 thanks to a 9-3 record with a 3.78 ERA. He was second on the team in innings thrown (83.1) while racking up 70 strikeouts on just 26 walks.
McDuffie was an instant stalwart for the Tar Heels bullpen in his freshman season, racking up a team-high seven saves with a 3-3 record across 55.1 innings. He would finish the year with a 3.74 ERA on 72 strikeouts and just 25 walks.
That dynamic duo on the mound helped lead a pitching staff that had the third best ERA in the nation (3.47) and the best in the ACC for the second straight season. Alongside Gallaher, they pushed the Tar Heels to the program's 27th conference championship and 12th time hosting an NCAA Super Regional in 2025.
The Diamond Heels return to Boshamer Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13 for their season opener against Indiana.
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