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<\/p>\nLouisville baseball looks for back-to-back ACC series wins.<\/p>\n
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I won\u2019t spend a lot of time going through what \u2018needs\u2019 to happen this weekend as the Cards head to Chapel Hill to take on the 15-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels.<\/a> We all know the formula for this team to win, and we saw it in the last two games.<\/p>\n On the mound against Northern Kentucky, Colton Hartman<\/a> got a strikeout to start the game against Northern Kentucky after an eight-pitch at-bat that was refreshing to see not be a leadoff walk. <\/p>\n In the bottom of the first, Louisville did what it does: Lucas Moore<\/a> bunted for a single, advanced to third on a failed pickoff, and then was singled home by Zion Rose<\/a>. Rose stole second, and then Tague Davis<\/a> ran up a full count before just casting the bat at an off-speed pitch and sending it to the right center alley for a double and his nation-leading 46th RBI of the season. Before anyone could blink, it was 2-0 Cards and the rest was history. That\u2019s Louisville Baseball, and Louisville Baseball is fun. It\u2019s more fun when it compliments solid pitching.<\/p>\n Then, again, in the bottom of the fifth, Davis crushed one 429 feet at 108 mph for his 12th home run of the season, running that RBI total to 48. His pace is blistering, and it would not be surprising at all to see him crack triple-digit RBIs this season.<\/p>\n Photo by Jared Anderson<\/p>\n Also, watching Alex Alicea<\/a> chase Ben Slanker<\/a> and Kade Elam<\/a> around the bases after NKU\u2019s Mark Nowak dove for a ball \u2013 turning a bloop single into an inside-the-park little league home run for Alex in the second inning was really fun. It\u2019s great when things are working on both sides on the dish. <\/p>\n The offense continues to hum. Hartman has been reliable in the midweek games thus far. Retiring the first six batters of a game while working ahead in counts and mixing hitters up goes a long way. Who knew? Regardless, this was the ideal midweek outcome ahead of the uphill climb this weekend. <\/p>\n We also saw the return of Eli Hoyt<\/a>, who pitched an inning of work in relief of Hartman. He did load the bases, but got a crucial strikeout and was able to get out of the jam. Freshman Anthony Karbowski<\/a>, and Peter Michael<\/a> closed out the seven-inning run-rule with an inning of work each, combining for five strikeouts.<\/p>\n The three relievers allowed zero runs. For a midweek game against an overmatched opponent, it was everything both fans and the team needed in advance of this weekend \u2013 it just needs to be replicated.<\/p>\n The Diamond Heels Do It All<\/p>\n North Carolina is a perennial powerhouse. One thing about the Tar Heels \/ Diamond Heels (their own baseball nickname \u2013 imagine if we called the Louisville Baseball team the \u2018Baseball Cards\u2019) is that they are always fundamentally-sound, hit the ball well, and the pitching staff will challenge hitters. Year-in and year-out, UNC puts together a dangerous squad.<\/p>\n North Carolina Tar Heels<\/p>\n Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference<\/p>\n Head Coach: Scott Forbes<\/p>\n Record (18-3-1) (4-2 ACC) (Streak: W6)<\/p>\n UofL Series History: 6-0 (5-0 at home) \/ Streak: W6 (Last: W 12-8, 2008)<\/p>\n Last Series: Won 3-0 at California<\/p>\n 2025 Result: 46-15 overall \/ 18-11 ACC<\/p>\n 2025 Postseason: 1-2 (Chapel Hill Super Regional, Lost to Arizona)<\/p>\n Last NCAA Tournament (2025 Super Regional Host)<\/p>\n College World Series Appearances: (12: runner-up in 2006 & 2007)<\/p>\n Schedule-wise, The Heels have had a tough road, opening with a sweep of Indiana, that for all intents and purposes should not have been. In case you missed it, here\u2019s how Indiana lost game three:<\/p>\n Bonus baseball at the Bosh \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2642\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/PywH6xay1u<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/uhmL5RrcQ3<\/a><\/p>\n — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) February 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1.jpg\")
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