We’re now officially under a month from the start of college baseball season. Your North Carolina Tar Heels, fresh off an ACC Tournament Championship and one game short of a 2025 College World Series trip, are eager to get back on the diamond.

UNC dominated Arizona in Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional last summer, then offense disappeared and defense struggled in Games 2 and 3. North Carolina sported arguably one of its deepest rosters in years, but the Arizona Wildcats had other plans.

Advertisement

The Diamond Heels will return a few 2025 starters, while sporting a new-look roster. Third baseman Gavin Gallaher, starting pitcher JasonDeCaro and reliever Matthew Matthijs all earned spots on D1Baseball’s Preseason All-America team.

DeCaro and Matthijs, two of the best arms in college baseball, earned spots on the Second Team. Gallaher, whose combination of clutch hitting and stellar defense make him a name to watch, is on D1Baseball’s Third Team.

DeCaro, who rose to prominence in 2024 as a freshman starter, thrived as UNC’s #2 starter behind Jake Knapp last season. DeCaro collected a 9-3 win-loss record in 16 appearances, a 3.78 earned run average and 70 strikeouts.

Advertisement

Matthijs is arguably the top returning reliever across college baseball. Though a season-ending injury cut his 2025 campaign short, Matthijs ranked second amongst all Division-I pitchers with 12 wins in 2024. Expect North Carolina to ease Matthijs back into action, but also expect to see Matthijs most games.

Gallaher’s clutch factor dates back to the 2024 Chapel Hill Regional, when he blasted a walk-off grand slam to complete a late comeback against LIU. In 2025, Gallaher combined average with power to hit .325, mashing a Diamond Heels-best 17 home runs and driving in a team-high 68 runs.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on. Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: D1Baseball Preseason All-American teams feature thee Diamond Heels