Tar Heels Take Series Opener Over No. 2 Georgia Tech

Friday, April 17

Chapel Hill

6 PM

North Carolina

32-6-1, 14-5

Georgia Tech

31-6, 31-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Georgia Tech	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	6	2
North Carolina	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	X	5	11	0

April 18, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: William Soulé

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In front of a record crowd fitting of the highest ranked matchup in Boshamer Stadium history, Carolina baseball powered their way to a 5-2 win over No. 2 Georgia Tech on Friday night.

The No. 3 Tar Heels (32-6-1, 14-5 ACC) launched three home runs in the first three innings to take a lead that their trio of excellent arms would not relinquish. It's team program's highest ranked win at home since sweeping No. 1 Virginia in 2011.

Coming in the series was touted as a battle of strengths, Carolina's elite pitching staff against Georgia Tech's top-notch offense. On Friday night, the Diamond Heel arm barn won the battle. Two runs allowed is tied for the fewest the Yellow Jackets have put up in any game this season and six was their fourth fewest hits. GT's first four in the lineup, hitting a combined .373 on the year, were held just 2-16.

The birthday boy Jason DeCaro led the way, recording four strikeouts and just one run and five hits in 5.0 innings pitched. He exited in the top of the sixth after becoming the first pitcher this season to hold Georgia Tech scoreless through the first five frames.

DeCaro has propensity to bring his best for the biggest stages. He now owns the wins from Carolina's last two times beating a top 2 ranked team, dominating No. 2 Florida State in an 11-1 run-rule on the road last season.

The veteran was backed up by more shutdown pitching from freshman Caden Glauber and sophomore Walker McDuffie. The two bullpen stars combined to log 4.0 IP with three punchouts and only one run and one hit in total.

The youngster Glauber added another piece of evidence to his portfolio proving why he's one of the best freshman arms in the country. Unphased by high pressure moments, Glauber left four Yellow Jackets on base highlighted by working out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth.
Carolina improved to 20-0 on the season when scoring in the first inning thanks to quick work from the top of the order. Jake Schaffner led off with a double before eventually being brought around by Owen Hull to score the first.

The next batter, Macon Winslow, stepped up and smacked a back side home run over the right field fence to make it 3-0 for the home team. Solo home runs from Colin Hynek and Erik Paulsen in the next two frames gave UNC all the lead it would need to take the marquee victory. It was Paulsen's first time leaving the park in over a month, last launching at Cal on March 15.

Schaffner was excellent as the leadoff man, finishing 3-4 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. Freshman Tyler Howe made hard contact all evening, putting a double and a single on his ledger.

It was a record audience to cheer the team on to victory on Friday night, as the 4,357 in attendance made for the largest regular season crowd in program history.

The Tar Heels are quickly back to the Bosh at high noon tomorrow where they will look to take the series live on ACC Network. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. ET.