For many, the early days of February involve a few things: getting weather forecasts from a rodent, watching Bill Murray navigate a time loop, and hurriedly buying supermarket bouquets at the 11th hour.
But for those in the know, it also means the start of college baseball season. And in Chapel Hill, the Diamond Heels returning to the field is a welcome sight indeed.
Diamond Heels fans set a Boshamer Stadium attendance record in Carolina’s NCAA Super Regional victory against West Virginia last summer, and those fans have once again put their money where their mouth is. In January, the baseball program announced it had set a new record for season tickets sold, an increase of 30 percent from last year. With both the football and men’s basketball programs having disappointing seasons, it’s clear Carolina fans are starved for a winner.
“The fans are what drive us,” said veteran pitcher Kyle Percival. “We want to play in front of a bunch of people. That’s what gets the juices flowing. I think we have the best fans in college baseball. They’re always here. Bosh Magic is real.”
UNC fans helped set a Boshamer Stadium attendance record in Carolina’s Super Regional victory against West Virginia last June. (Image via UNC Athletic Communications)
Bosh Magic helped Carolina to some thrilling victories on its way to Omaha, and the road back starts on Valentine’s Day. But after several seasons of lighter competition on Opening Day, this year sees the Diamond Heels welcome Big 12 foes Texas Tech to the Bosh for a three-game series. It’s just the first stanza of a difficult schedule, one which includes four different Super Regional participants and numerous other postseason regulars. Head coach Scott Forbes wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It really shows your weaknesses earlier, if you have any, and what you have to address before you get into ACC play,” Forbes said. “This year, it doesn’t matter: even these midweek [games], we have to show up and we have to play well. I don’t really have to remind our team that if they don’t show up, they’ll get their tails whipped. They know that they have to show up.”
Forbes’ roster lost several significant pieces after last season, most notably all-time home run leader Vance Honeycutt. The heir apparent to Honeycutt in center field appears to be Kane Kepley, a highly-touted transfer from Liberty. Coincidentally, Kepley shares Honeycutt’s hometown of Salisbury, N.C. And also like his predecessor, Kepley will be living out a dream when he puts on his Carolina uniform.
“I grew up a Tar Heel fan my whole life,” he said. “When I entered the portal, it was my number one, no matter what. I didn’t even talk to any other schools, because I’ve wanted to be at Carolina ever since I was little.”
But even with the departure of Honeycutt and others, the Diamond Heels still boast high-end talent. Catcher Luke Stevenson is a preseason All-American after a freshman season in which he started all but one game behind the plate. As a draft-eligible sophomore, this season is likely Stevenson’s last in Chapel Hill, so Forbes is enjoying his star backstop while he can.
“Man, he looks great,” Forbes said of Stevenson. “I’m excited for y’all to watch him. For me, he is that special talent that you get lucky to get on campus, kind of like a Honeycutt.”
North Carolina catcher Luke Stevenson (44) in action during an NCAA College World Series baseball game against Florida State on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. Florida State won 9-5. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Jason DeCaro will look to build on a strong freshman season as UNC’s probable Opening Day starting pitcher. Though the sophomore isn’t draft-eligible until 2026, that isn’t stopping hype from building around the righty from Long Island. Some even project DeCaro as the top overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Forbes praised his team’s pitching depth, both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen, but ultimately believes the Diamond Heels’ strength is something different.
“The number one thing I like the most is I think we have some toughness,” said Forbes. We have some guys that’ll fight you — not bench-clearing brawl type. They’re hard-nosed, blue-collar players.”
In that way, the team reflects the image of its head coach, who played in Division III and coached in the Coastal Plain League before making his way to Chapel Hill. Now Forbes is the reigning ACC Coach of the Year and leading a team which many believe can get to Omaha again. All that’s left to do is capture the one thing which has stubbornly avoided the program’s grasp: a first-ever national championship.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
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