The second-ranked Tar Heels are coming off a series win over Duke, their seventh straight series win since opening ACC play with a series loss to Virginia. The Diamond Heels clinched the Duke series with a 22-5 loss to the Blue Devils in the rubber match.
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The Chanticleers (30-13) are coming off a series win over Texas State. Coastal Carolina is 3-2 against ACC opponents this season, with wins over Clemson and Wake Forest (twice) and losses to NC State and Wake Forest.
Coastal Carolina is coming off a very successful season in which they went 56-13, won the regular season and Sun Belt tournament titles and finished as national runner-up after losing to LSU.
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill. Continue reading below as we delve into our preview with several must-haves ahead of Tuesday’s showdown.
The key to UNC’s victory
Take drastic measures on basepaths.
Coastal Carolina’s offense is based on small ball: patience at the plate, timely hitting, getting on base by any means necessary, bunting and aggressive but disciplined baserunning. The Chanticleers don’t rely on power or extra-base hits; They prioritize simply getting to the base and then applying pressure.
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They rank 26th nationally in total stolen bases and 27th in stolen bases per game. Seven Chanticleers have at least 10 steals this season and also rank second in the nation in sacrifice bunts. For North Carolina, controlling the running game will be key to keeping Coastal’s offense in check.
Players to watch from UNC
June 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina infielder Gavin Gallaher (5) jerseys during the seventh inning of the Super Regionals game against Arizona in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Common midweek pitchers
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PI Jackson Rose (3-0): 1.39 ERA, 3-0, 32.1 IP, allowed only five runs on 18 hits, 15 walks, 29 strikeouts
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RHP Walker McDuffie (6-1): 2.33 ERA, 44.1 IP, 11 runs and 26 hits, 4 saves, 25 walks, 57 strikeouts
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RHP Boston Flannery (1-0): 3.06 ERA, 17.2 IP, 11 runs (six earned) with 15 hits, 16 walks and 17 strikeouts
Position players
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FROM Owen Hull: .389 batting average, 65 hits, 17 doubles, four home runs, 55 RBI, team-high 15 stolen bases
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INF Jake Schaffner: 344 batting average, 62 hits, 12 doubles, five triples, five home runs, 31 RBIs
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C Macon Winslow: 306, 44 hits, 10 doubles, seven home runs, 38 RBIs
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INF Erik Paulsen: .296 batting average, 48 hits, seven doubles, seven home runs, 38 RBIs
Players to watch from the Carolina coast
OMAHA, NEBRASKA – JUNE 22: Darin Horn #39 of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers pitches during the seventh inning against the LSU Tigers in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series Baseball Finals at Charles Schwab Field on June 22, 2025 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
Common midweek pitchers
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RHP Darin Horn (6-1): 3.40 ERA, 5 saves (team-high), 42.1 IP, 46 hits, 23 runs allowed (16 earned), 16 walks, 62 strikeouts
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RHP Jaxon Appleman (0-1): 7.62 ERA, 28.1 IP, 23 hits, 27 runs allowed (23 earned), 18 walks, 32 strikes
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RHP Jackson Smallets (0-1): 3.75 ERA, 24.0 IP, 22 hits allowed, 10 runs allowed (all earned), 14 walks, 16 strikeouts
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RHP Connor Kane (2-1): 6.26 ERA, 21.0 IPm 29 hitsm 16 runs allowed (15 earned), 12 walks, 16 strikeouts
Position players
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FROM Dean Mihos:
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Preseason All-Sun Belt selection and member of the 2025 Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team
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Team highs in batting average (.320), hits (55) and doubles (12), along with 46 runs, five home runs and 33 RBIs.
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BY Rex Watson
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Transfer from San Diego where he was an All-WCC selection as a freshman
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Batting .265 with 40 hits, six doubles, a triple and team highs in home runs (11) and RBIs (47).
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Baseball vs Coastal Carolina: Preview, Key to Victory, Players