University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
Diamond Heels Take Care of Business, Beat Longwood 5-3
February 18, 2026 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – A four run first inning was enough to see North Carolina baseball to a 5-3 victory over Longwood on Wednesday night in Boshamer Stadium.
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The No. 10 Tar Heels (5-0) put another check in the win column thanks to a pair of two-out, two RBI singles in the opening frame and effective pitching that kept the Lancers from ever finding a real footing. It continues the hot start for the Heels who, in six years under head coach Scott Forbes, have won their first five games in five of the last six seasons.
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Clutch two-out hitting produced the offense for Carolina in this one. In the first inning, the bases were loaded up for both Michael Maginnis and Colin Hynek and both newcomers delivered two RBI singles to put the Heels up 4-0 early.
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The rest of the game was slow offensively for UNC. Eight hits and seven walks produced baserunners, but 13 of them were left on base as the big RBIs just didn't come.
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Important insurance came in the seventh inning, as Hynek popped up again to contribute. This time it was a double down the right field line that scored Maginnis. The transfer catcher has had a great start to his time in Carolina blue, leading the team in RBIs (7) and is second behind Jake Scahffner in hits (7).
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The Tar Heels deployed five pitchers in a platoon effort for this Wednesday night contest. Veterans Walker McDuffie and Matthew Matthijs anchored the group in picking up the win and a save respectively. Neither man gave up a hit in their combined 2.1 IP.
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Boston Flannery got the start, his first since the 2024 season, logging one hit, no earned runs, and five strikeouts in his two innings of work. True freshman Caden Glauber followed McDuffie on the mound and put up four strikeouts for his career high.
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Carolina has a day off before heading out to the Jungle in Greenville, N.C., to face off with in-state rivals East Carolina on Friday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET with coverage coming on ESPN+.
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The No. 10 Tar Heels (5-0) put another check in the win column thanks to a pair of two-out, two RBI singles in the opening frame and effective pitching that kept the Lancers from ever finding a real footing. It continues the hot start for the Heels who, in six years under head coach Scott Forbes, have won their first five games in five of the last six seasons.
Â
Clutch two-out hitting produced the offense for Carolina in this one. In the first inning, the bases were loaded up for both Michael Maginnis and Colin Hynek and both newcomers delivered two RBI singles to put the Heels up 4-0 early.
Â
The rest of the game was slow offensively for UNC. Eight hits and seven walks produced baserunners, but 13 of them were left on base as the big RBIs just didn't come.
Â
Important insurance came in the seventh inning, as Hynek popped up again to contribute. This time it was a double down the right field line that scored Maginnis. The transfer catcher has had a great start to his time in Carolina blue, leading the team in RBIs (7) and is second behind Jake Scahffner in hits (7).
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The Tar Heels deployed five pitchers in a platoon effort for this Wednesday night contest. Veterans Walker McDuffie and Matthew Matthijs anchored the group in picking up the win and a save respectively. Neither man gave up a hit in their combined 2.1 IP.
Â
Boston Flannery got the start, his first since the 2024 season, logging one hit, no earned runs, and five strikeouts in his two innings of work. True freshman Caden Glauber followed McDuffie on the mound and put up four strikeouts for his career high.
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Carolina has a day off before heading out to the Jungle in Greenville, N.C., to face off with in-state rivals East Carolina on Friday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET with coverage coming on ESPN+.
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Players Mentioned
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