### Tar Heels Set to Begin NCAA Postseason Against Holy Cross

In what marks their 37th appearance in the NCAA tournament, the North Carolina Tar Heels are primed to face Holy Cross, the champions of the Patriot League, in their regional opener. The game will take place at noon ET and is set to be broadcast on the ACC Network. This year marks the 13th time since 2006 that UNC will host the regionals, a figure that ties them with Florida State for the highest in the nation.

North Carolina's strong postseason history includes an impressive 35-7 record in regionals hosted at home, advancing to ten Super Regionals in the process. This season, the Tar Heels have been seeded fifth nationally—a first for the program—but have earned a top-eight seed nine times, advancing to the College World Series on seven of those occasions. Their current streak of NCAA tournament appearances is the longest active streak in the ACC, with eight consecutive showings.

Leading the charge this year is their star pitcher, who has just been named the ACC Pitcher of the Year for 2025, marking only the fifth time a Tar Heel has received this honor. The pitcher’s dominance over the season was evident, boasting a 10-0 record, a league-leading ERA of 2.00, and holding opponents to a .173 batting average over 72 innings pitched. His exceptional performance against Florida State, where he outdueled top prospect Jamie Arnold, solidified his accolade.

In addition to the individual accolades, the Tar Heel pitching staff stands out nationally, leading the ACC in ERA (3.42), WHIP (1.21), and boasting an impressive strikeout rate that helped secure high strikeout games, including two consecutive outings with 14 and 17 Ks. This strong performance is notably complemented by their remarkable control, highlighted by six games without allowing a single walk this season—the program’s highest since 2013.

Behind the plate, the team's catcher has made substantial contributions both defensively and offensively, leading the conference in home runs with 18 and walks with 55. His prowess has not gone unnoticed, as he is ranked as the top catcher prospect for the 2025 MLB draft, making him a highly sought-after talent. His defensive skills are equally commendable, with a 32% success rate in throwing out base stealers and exceptional pitch framing abilities.

Adding to their accolades, UNC has been ranked No. 1 in both the D1Baseball and USA Today Coaches' polls for the first time in the 11-year history of the D1Baseball poll. The Tar Heels also rank among the top ten nationally for the fewest number of batters hit by pitches, a testament to their disciplined play.

With solid stats, high rankings, and a robust team led by experienced coaching, the Tar Heels are poised for yet another deep run in the NCAA tournament. Their showdown against Holy Cross at noon on the ACC Network marks the beginning of what fans and analysts alike hope will be an exciting and successful postseason for North Carolina.