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BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: Ryan Lynch #53 of the North Carolina Tar Heels pitches against the California Golden Bears during the second inning at Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
UNC baseball’s offense roared to life in their semi-final matchup against Pittsburgh, battering the Panthers pitchers for 22 hit en route to a 13-5 victory. Every UNC starter recorded at least one hit, and the Heels smacked five home runs as they continued the power surge that started against Virginia Tech.
UNC spotted Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead in the first inning before scoring three of their own in the bottom of the first, tying the game courtesy of Gavin Gallaher two-run homer, then a Pitt error and single by the Heels gave them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Carolina continued to pile it on in the second inning, chasing Panthers starting pitcher Antonio Doganiero before he recorded an out in the 2nd. Rom Kellis V homered in the inning as the Heels led 6-2 at the end of the second frame.
Pitt tried to rally in the middle innings, scoring one in the 3rd and then putting two runners on in the fifth with no outs. The Heels called on Walker McDuffie to bail them out, and he delivered; McDuffie struck out two to end the threat. UNC added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, and Pittsburgh wouldn’t seriously challenge the Heels again. Cooper Nicholson, Kellis V, and Colin Hynek would all add homers to extend the Heels lead. The only drama at the game’s end was whether the Heels would manage to run-rule the Panthers.
McDuffie picked up the win by throwing 2.2 innings and allowing two hits and one run while striking out three. Kellis V ended up recording three hits, five RBIs and scoring two runs for the Heels. Jake Schaffner had four hits in six at-bats while also scoring two runs.
The Heels advance to face top-seeded Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game on Sunday at noon Eastern. The Yellow Jackets and the Heels have been head-and-shoulders above the rest of the ACC most of the season, so it seems fitting that these two programs will square off for the crown. UNC won two out of three in the regular season series against Georgia Tech.
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