North Carolina Baseball Dominates No. 2 Georgia Tech in Series
North Carolina made a strong statement in a high-stakes series against No. 2 Georgia Tech, securing two out of three games with a combination of powerful offense and stellar pitching. The Tar Heels (33-7-1, 15-6 ACC) showcased their ability to perform under pressure, holding the nation’s highest-scoring lineup to just 11 runs across the three-game set.
The Yellow Jackets (32-7, 16-5) managed only two runs or fewer in the first two games before bouncing back in the finale. Despite the loss, the series highlighted the competitiveness between two top-ranked teams and provided an exciting display of baseball talent.
Game 1: North Carolina 5, Georgia Tech 2
In the opening game of the series, North Carolina delivered a dominant performance, fueled by three home runs in the first three innings. The win marked the program’s highest-ranked home victory since sweeping No. 1 Virginia in 2011.
Jason DeCaro, celebrating his 20th birthday on Friday, led the way with a strong five-inning outing, allowing just one run on five hits with four strikeouts. He became the first pitcher this season to hold Georgia Tech scoreless through five innings.
Relievers Caden Glauber and Walker McDuffie combined for four innings of one-run, one-hit relief. Georgia Tech’s two runs tied their season low, and their six hits were their fourth fewest. Their top four hitters, who entered hitting a combined .373, went 2-for-16.
Jake Schaffner opened the game with a double, and Owen Hull drove in the first run with an RBI. Macon Winslow followed with a three-run homer for a 3-0 lead. Colin Hynek and Erik Paulsen added solo shots, while Schaffner finished 3-for-4. A record regular-season crowd of 4,357 filled Boshamer Stadium.
Game 2: North Carolina 14, Georgia Tech 4 (8 inn.)
North Carolina continued its offensive dominance in the second game, slugging three more home runs in a 14-4 run-rule win that clinched what was billed as the “series of the season.”
The Tar Heels, off to the second-best start in program history, scored three runs in the first inning for the second straight day. They outscored Georgia Tech 12-0 before allowing a run. The team improved to 21-0 when scoring in the first and 28-0 when posting the game’s first multi-run, scoreless “kill shot” inning, per PEARatings.
Jake Schaffner and captain Gavin Gallaher started the game with base hits, and Hull drove in the first run. In the second inning, Hull delivered a grand slam, his third home run of the weekend and first collegiate grand slam. He added a sacrifice fly and finished with six RBIs.
Macon Winslow homered for the second straight day with a two-run shot to center, and Cooper Nicholson added a solo homer. Tyler Howe contributed a two-run double and a bases-loaded walk to Carter French, enforcing the run rule.
Starter Ryan Lynch allowed three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Walker McDuffie and Matthew Matthijs followed with 3 1/3 innings of one-run relief. Georgia Tech, which had not been held under five runs in back-to-back games this season, was held to four or fewer for a second straight day.
Game 3: Georgia Tech 5, North Carolina 2
North Carolina struggled to maintain its offensive momentum in the final game of the series, falling 5-2 as its offense cooled.
Georgia Tech took its first lead of the series in the first inning, capitalizing on a leadoff walk and throwing error. The Tar Heels answered in the bottom half, scoring in the first in all three games, but never built the early cushion they had in the previous two wins.
Freshman right-hander Folger Boaz pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with four walks. Matthijs (2 1/3 innings, one earned run, three strikeouts) and Jackson Rose (2 2/3 scoreless innings, two strikeouts) settled the game, but the offense never recovered.
After struggling in the first two games, Georgia Tech’s Drew Burress and Vahn Lackey produced some of their best plate appearances of the weekend to help generate traffic for the Jackets’ staff. French collected three hits from the No. 9 spot, and Schaffner added two leadoff singles and scored both times.
Conclusion
Despite the loss in the final game, North Carolina’s performance in the series demonstrated their strength and depth. The team has now won three straight weekend series against Georgia Tech, with head coach Scott Forbes maintaining a 10-5 record in the matchup, including six consecutive wins.
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