Feb. 20, 2026, 1:57 p.m. ET
After a successful first five games of the season, North Carolina will take on East Carolina in its first true test of the new season.
The Tar Heels are 5-0 after a series sweep of Indiana and two midweek victories over Richmond and Longwood. During that stretch, shortstop Jake Schaffner hit .421 with a double, two triples and a home run. Designated hitter Colin Hynek also has been stellar, hitting .412 with two doubles, a triple and seven RBIs. Catcher Macon Winslowhas homered twice.
On the mound, UNC’s starting rotation of Jason DeCaro, Ryan Lynch and Folger Boaz did not allow a run and combined for 19 strikeouts, with DeCaro hurling seven and Boaz and Lynch tossing six each.
ECU, projected to win the American Athletic Conference, is 2-3 with series losses to Xavier and Campbell. However, the Pirates are not ones to be taken lightly despite their record. They have been one of the better mid-major programs in college baseball, reaching the postseason 20 times since 2000. Most notably, ECU is the program with the most NCAA Tournament appearances without ever reaching the College World Series.
Under head coach Cliff Godwin, the Pirates have made nine regional berths (hosting five), four super regional appearances, won the American Conference regular-season title five times and the American Conference tournament four times.
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UNC leads East Carolina 30-17 in the all-time series, but the series is tied 5-5 over the last 10 meetings. The Tar Heels swept the Pirates last season.
Series Schedule
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