Strong starts from pitchers Jake Knapp and Aidan Haugh helped the Diamond Heels win two out of three games at Boston College during the weekend. It’s the first ACC series win for UNC this season.

In the series opener Friday, Knapp pitched into the seventh inning while allowing only one run on two hits and striking out five Eagles. He left the game with a 3-1 lead, and relievers Matthew Matthijs and Walker McDuffie combined to record the final seven outs. Sam Angelo and Hunter Stokely each homered, while Jackson Van De Brake and Sawyer Black both recorded RBIs during a two-run rally in the seventh inning. The 5-1 victory snapped a two-game losing streak.

Carolina took an early lead in the second game of the series on the strength of a sacrifice fly from Gavin Gallaher in the third inning, but Boston College took the lead on a three-run home run in the fifth against UNC starter Jason DeCaro. Those would be the only three runs DeCaro allowed in six innings of work, but he still left with a loss after Carolina managed only one more run in the eighth. An Alex Madera single and stolen base had set UNC up with men on second and third with Van De Brake up to bat, but the second baseman struck out on three pitches to end the threat. The Diamond Heels went down in order in the top of the ninth to end the 3-2 loss.

UNC’s bats awoke in time for the series finale Sunday, as Carolina scored two runs in the first and five in the second to blow the game open early. Hunter Stokely, Tyson Bass and Gavin Gallaher each recorded RBI hits during the first two frames, with Bass doubling and singling to drive in three runs in his first two at-bats.

Stokely capped off a productive day at the plate with a solo home run in the sixth, piling on to a UNC lead which now stood at 9-0. A Kane Kepley sacrifice fly in the seventh made it 10-0.

UNC starter Aidan Haugh recorded a spotless seventh inning to end the game via run rule. Haugh was masterful in his abridged complete game, striking out 11 Eagles and allowing just one walk and one hit – both of which came in his final inning.

The series win improves UNC to 18-6 this season and 4-5 in ACC play. Up next for the Diamond Heels is their annual game against South Carolina in Charlotte, scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Jake Knapp Dominates as UNC Baseball Wins Series Opener vs. No. 16 NC State
UNC ace Jake Knapp retired 18 straight NC State batters to help the Diamond Heels defeat the No. 16 Wolfpack 8-1 in the first game of a three-game series at Boshamer Stadium Thursday night. Heels start the series 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜💪#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/tuDFCJcaDo — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) May 9, 2025 Knapp’s dominance came after a shaky […]
UNC Baseball Cruises Past Campbell at Boshamer Stadium
Big nights at the plate from Alex Madera and Rom Kellis supported a sparkling effort from UNC’s pitching staff as the Diamond Heels cruised past Campbell 10-1 at Boshamer Stadium Tuesday. Sent 'em back to Nowhere! #GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/FaNDCnPkid — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) May 7, 2025 Madera and Kellis, batting in the seventh and […]
UNC Baseball Earns Run-Rule Win vs. Queens at Boshamer Stadium
The Diamond Heels scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on their way to a 14-3 win against Queens at Boshamer Stadium Wednesday evening. The game ended after a two-run home run from Hunter Stokely in the bottom of the eighth brought the 10-run rule into effect. Heels walk off the week!! […]
UNC Baseball Pulls Away Late, Cruises Past George Mason
The Diamond Heels scored eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break open a tie game and didn’t look back against George Mason Tuesday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium, as UNC beat the Patriots 13-4. It was Carolina’s first completed home game in two weeks, after a home game against Presbyterian last week […]
UNC Baseball Rallies from Early Deficit, Clinches Series at Virginia Tech
A towering home run from Jackson Van De Brake and strong performances on the mound helped the Diamond Heels erase an early 2-0 hole and beat Virginia Tech 7-4 in Blacksburg Sunday. The win clinches the weekend series for UNC. Cooked some turkey for Easter this year. #GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/hkL62CKppX — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) […]
UNC Baseball Drops 2nd Game of Weekend Series at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech scored five runs against UNC starter Aidan Haugh in the first inning Saturday, putting the Diamond Heels in a hole they couldn’t climb out of in a 10-6 loss. The Hokies’ opening salvo included three home runs in the span of four batters, and their five runs in the first inning alone were […]
Bats Power UNC Baseball to Win at Virginia Tech in Series Opener
The Diamond Heels banged out 13 hits and nine runs at Virginia Tech Friday night, and it was enough to beat the Hokies 9-6 in the first game of a three-game series. STOKED to take game 1️⃣!!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/iXXR2WhmAB — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 19, 2025 UNC never trailed after going ahead 1-0 on […]
UNC Baseball Completes 3-Game Sweep of Wake Forest
Jason DeCaro carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and freshman Lee Sowers came up clutch in the seventh to help the Diamond Heels beat Wake Forest 3-2 and complete a three-game sweep of the Demon Deacons at Boshamer Stadium Sunday afternoon. Brought the Bosh brooms baby 🧹🧹🧹#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/vmtu1hOpYE — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) […]
UNC Baseball Bludgeons Wake Forest Again for 2nd Straight Run-Rule Win
The Diamond Heels used another offensive avalanche to bury visiting Wake Forest early and win via the 10-run rule for the second straight day Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium, pummeling the Demon Deacons 17-1 in a game ended after seven innings. Don't wake us up 🤩 Dream day for Carolina secures the series and our […]
UNC Baseball Dominates Wake Forest in Series Opener, Wins Via Run Rule
After sitting through a rain-induced postponement of what should have been the series opener Thursday night, the Diamond Heels made the 24-hour wait pay off. UNC dominated visiting Wake Forest in the first game of a critical three-game series at Boshamer Stadium Friday night, using a pair of big innings to beat the Demon Deacons […]
›