UNC’s Grounded Streak Bears Down the Cards in Major Sweep!
After a rough series against Virginia to open ACC play last weekend, UNC dominated Cal on the road in a series sweep.
The UNC baseball team entered its 2026 season with high expectations , even with plenty of new faces. North Carolina started the year hot, winning its first six games, before hitting a rough patch last weekend against Virginia. This weekend, the Diamond Heels looked plenty more like a team ready to compete for an ACC Championship.
UNC swept the California Golden Bears in three road games – 8-1, 6-2, 10-2 – extending its perfect road stats. North Carolina (17-3-1, 4-2 ACC) started its weekend with an 8-1 victory on Friday. The Diamond Heels and Golden Bears (13-7, 0-3 ACC) traded four scoreless innings to start things, but Tyler Howe's fifth-inning single started a late-game scoring barrage.
UNC preserved its arms, only using Jason DeCaro and Caden Glauber on the mound. North Carolina struck first again on Saturday, with center fielder Owen Hull driving in the first three runs. Jett Kenady mashed a 2-run home run, cutting Cal's deficit to one in the sixth inning.
Gavin Gallaher and Erik Paulsen padded the Diamond Heels lead in the seventh inning, then Hull drove in another run. Ryan Lynch responded with eight shutdown innings, while Walker McDuffie secured the save. If you want to talk offensive efficiency, UNC showcased a perfect example in Sunday's finale, scoring 10 runs on 10 hits.