North Carolina Baseball Kicks Off 2026 Season with New-Look Roster

The Tar Heels, ranked No. 11 in the preseason, open the year against Indiana on Friday with a reshaped lineup and pitching staff.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team kicks off their 2026 season on Friday against Indiana, featuring a vastly reshaped roster with 18 new faces including seven key transfers. The team is ranked No. 11 in the preseason and will face a challenging schedule that includes several other top-ranked ACC opponents.

Why it matters

North Carolina is looking to build on last season's success and make a deep postseason run, but will have to do so with a largely new group of players. The Tar Heels' ability to quickly gel and integrate the new talent will be crucial to their chances of contending in the loaded ACC.

The details

The Tar Heels are bringing back just two starters from last year's Super Regional team, with seven transfers expected to play immediate roles. Key newcomers include shortstop Jake Schaffner, center fielder Owen Hull, catcher Macon Winslow, first baseman Erik Paulsen, and third baseman Cooper Nicholson. The pitching staff features a familiar trio of Jason DeCaro, Folger Boaz, and Ryan Lynch in the rotation, with Walker McDuffie and Matthew Matthijs leading the bullpen.

  • The Tar Heels open the 2026 season on Friday, February 13 at 4 p.m.
  • North Carolina hosts No. 8 Louisville from March 20-22.
  • The Tar Heels travel to face No. 19 Clemson from April 10-12.
  • UNC hosts No. 5 Georgia Tech from April 17-19.
  • The Tar Heels visit rival Duke from April 23-25.

The players

Scott Forbes

The head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team.

Gavin Gallaher

The lone returning starting second baseman from last year's Tar Heels squad.

Carter French

The lone returning starting outfielder from last year's Tar Heels squad.

Jake Schaffner

A transfer shortstop from North Dakota State expected to play a key role for the Tar Heels this season.

Owen Hull

A transfer center fielder from George Mason who is projected to be a starter for North Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“Much has changed for Scott Forbes' club since Carter French's final strike on June 8, and a vastly reshaped Tar Heels squad will take the field at 4 p.m. on Friday.”

— Spencer Haskell, Author (on3.com)

What’s next

The Tar Heels will look to get off to a strong start against Indiana on Friday as they begin integrating their many new faces and prepare for a challenging ACC schedule that includes several ranked opponents.

The takeaway

North Carolina faces high expectations this season despite a largely new-look roster, and their ability to quickly come together as a team will be crucial to their chances of contending in the loaded ACC and making a deep postseason run.