Returning UNC stars shine, newcomers make it opening-day rout

Familiar faces lead early, while new players fuel blowout win over Indiana

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels opened their baseball season with a 9-4 victory over Indiana on Friday. Returning stars like junior captain Gavin Gallaher and pitchers Jason DeCaro and Walker McDuffie led the way early, while newcomers like Colin Hynek and Jake Schaffner ignited a decisive six-run sixth inning to blow the game open.

Why it matters

The Tar Heels are looking to build on last season's success and make a deep postseason run. While they lost some key contributors from 2025, the performance of both veteran leaders and talented newcomers in the opener is an encouraging sign for UNC's outlook this year.

The details

DeCaro struck out seven in five shutout innings, and McDuffie got out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. Gallaher delivered a clutch two-run triple in the fifth. Newcomers Hynek and Schaffner fueled the six-run sixth inning that broke the game open.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • The rest of the series will be a Saturday doubleheader due to a Sunday rain forecast.

The players

Gavin Gallaher

A junior captain who has shifted from third to second base and delivered a key two-run triple in the fifth inning.

Jason DeCaro

A right-handed pitcher who struck out seven in five shutout innings to earn the win.

Walker McDuffie

A right-handed pitcher who got out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning.

Colin Hynek

A newcomer who went 2-for-4 with a two-run double in the sixth inning.

Jake Schaffner

A newcomer who hit an RBI triple in the sixth inning to spark the Tar Heels' decisive rally.

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What they’re saying

“Many faces have changed, but three familiar, dependable returnees led No. 11 North Carolina early, while newcomers made it a blowout.”

— R.L. Bynum, Writer (tarheeltribune.com)

What’s next

The rest of the series will be played as a Saturday doubleheader due to the Sunday rain forecast.

The takeaway

The Tar Heels' mix of veteran leadership and talented newcomers produced a convincing opening-day victory, providing an early positive sign for their 2026 season outlook.