The UNC baseball team is making a strong case for a deep postseason run, and the latest NCAA Tournament projections reflect just how impressive their season has been. USA TODAY Sports has pegged the Diamond Heels as the No. 3 overall seed, meaning they'd host a Regional in Chapel Hill—a huge honor for a program that's been building momentum all year.
North Carolina (40-9-1, 20-7 ACC) capped off its final regular-season home series with a sweep of Pittsburgh, showcasing the same winning formula that's carried them all season: clutch hitting and dominant pitching. With one week left in the regular season, the Diamond Heels face a Tuesday night matchup at UNC-Wilmington before closing things out with a rivalry series at NC State.
According to the projections, UNC would welcome Tennessee, Missouri State, and Army to Chapel Hill for the Regional round. That's no easy draw. The Volunteers (34-18, 13-14 SEC) are just two years removed from winning their first College World Series title and continue to battle in one of the nation's toughest conferences. Missouri State (30-17, 18-9 Conference USA) sits in third place in its league, while Army (28-20, 17-9 Patriot League) enters as the top seed in the Patriot League tournament.
For UNC, this postseason feels different. The Diamond Heels have made eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances, but 2026 looks like the year they finally break through and make serious noise in Omaha. Their lineup is deep and dangerous, with multiple players capable of delivering in clutch moments. Owen Hull leads the charge with a .373 average, 69 hits (including 17 doubles), and 57 RBIs. Cooper Nicholson provides the power with a team-high 13 home runs, while Duke transfer Macon Winslow (.306, 9 HR, 47 RBI) and Colin Hynek (.266, 46 RBI) give the Heels two offensive-minded catchers who can change a game.
But it's the pitching staff that truly sets this team apart. Ace Jason DeCaro has been nothing short of spectacular, posting a 9-2 record with a 1.91 ERA and 61 strikeouts. Freshman bullpen star Caden Glauber has been just as electric, recording a 1.84 ERA and leading all pitchers with 69 strikeouts.
If UNC can win all four games this week, a Top 2 overall seed isn't out of reach. For the Diamond Heels, it's simple: keep winning, and the path to Omaha gets clearer every day.