Diamond Heels Ready For NCAA Regional Action

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Diamond Heels begin their 38th NCAA Tournament with a Friday face off against a familiar foe in the visiting VCU Rams. The entire regional is chalk full of recent rivals that also include 2024 College World Series foe Tennessee and annual opponents East Carolina.

Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium will play host to an NCAA Regional for the 14th time since 2006, tied for the most in the nation in that span. UNC has advanced to 11 Supers in that time frame, all from home regionals. Carolina have now made nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the longest active streak in the ACC.

SCHEDULE
Friday, May 29
Game 1: (3) East Carolina vs. (2) Tennessee - 12:00 PM - ESPNU
Game 2: (4) VCU vs. (1) North Carolina - 5:00 PM - ESPN+
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 - 12:00 PM
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 - 12:00 PM
Game 6: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4 - 5:00 PM
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 6 - If Necessary

CHAPEL HILL REGIONAL COMBATANTS
No. 5 (1) North Carolina Tar Heels (45-11-1)(22-8 ACC)
Head Coach: Scott Forbes
Record at UNC: 245-115-1
Program Regional Appearances: 38

(2) Tennessee Volunteers (38-20)(15-15 SEC)
Head Coach: Josh Elander
Record at UT: 38-20
Program Regional Appearances: 16

(3) East Carolina Pirates (36-22-1)(17-10 AAC)
Head Coach: Cliff Godwin
Record at ECU: 468-236-2
Program Regional Appearances: 36

(4) VCU Rams (37-23)(20-10 A10)
Head Coach: Sean Thompson
Record at VCU: 54-60
Program Regional Appearances: 15

PROJECTED STARTERS
Friday: RHP Ryan Lynch vs. RHP Patrick Steitz

MAMBO NO. 5
➤ Carolina was tabbed as the No. 5 national seed for the second straight tournament, the only two times in their history they've slotted into that particular number.
➤ It's the 10th time the Heels have earned a top eight seed, advancing to the CWS in seven of those years.
➤ UNC has made the NCAA postseason in nine straight seasons, the longest active streak in the ACC. Wake Forest sits behind with five in a row and NC State snuck in for four.
➤ The Diamond Heels lead the nation in number of times hosting regionals since 2006, sitting tied with Florida State at 14 total. In those 14 years hosting, they hold a 38-8 record in the regional round while advancing to supers 12 times.
➤ Carolina holds an 86-50 all-time record in the regional/district round.
➤ Head caoch Scott Forbes has led his program to the NCAA postseason in each of his six seasons at the helm. No other coach in program history did so in even each of their first four years.

GLOBE LIFE
➤ True freshman Caden Glauber (nicknamed "Globe" by his teammates) quickly emerged as a go-to arm for Forbes and company this season.
➤ The barely 18 year old skipped his senior prom to come to Chapel Hill early and went from unknown to the ACC Freshman of the Year (more on that below) thanks to elite velocity and a propensity to get out of sticky situations.
➤ Forbes has described him as a "future Friday guy" and "basically a starter waiting in the pen whenver we need him," often compared him to Tar Heel legend and big leaguer Trent Thornton.
➤ His elite, consistent performance has cemented him as the best freshman arm in the country. He is the only rookie on the Dick Howswer Trophy Semifinalists list and owns the best record and ERA of all freshmen.
➤ He currently owns a 9-0 record, the most wins without defeat by a Carolina freshman this century.
➤ The Heels are also 23-0 in his appearances.
➤ His ERA (1.93), strikeouts (80), and opposing batting average (.180) all lead the ACC first years.
➤ UNC has a reputation for trusting young arms. DeCaro also graduated high school early.

DOUBLE 'EM UP
➤ Carolina's defense has been one of its biggest strengths in the 2026 season, as the Heels hold the ACC's best fielding percentage (No. 9 NCAA).
➤ Currently at .982, it would be the best fielding percentage in program history if it were to stand.
➤ One of their biggest weapons this year has been the double play. UNC currently has the 9th most DPs in the NCAA with 52, second only to Pitt (54) in the conference ranks.
➤ On three different occasions this season the Heels have successfully turned two three times in one contest. They have converted multiple DPs in 15 games and had at least one in 36/57.
➤ A lot of credit for the defensive efficiency can be given to the men up the middle. Gallaher and Schaffner have been a part of 32 and 27 of the double plays respectively.
➤ Gallaher leads all second basemen in the nation in Defensive Runs Saved with a 16.38 rate and is sixth overall. He is 2nd among infielders.
➤ Carolina has also gotten seven DPs from their outfield, including a rare unassisted two-out play from Owen Hull on a line drive to center against Cal.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Caden Glauber

Owen Hull

Ryan Lynch

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics