UNC starting pitcher Austin Love was chosen Saturday morning by the American Baseball Coaches Association as one of four players at his position on the Atlantic All-Region First Team.

The redshirt sophomore from Salisbury, North Carolina put together one of the best seasons by a UNC pitcher in recent memory this year, leading the ACC in innings pitched (102.0) and finishing second in strikeouts (129).

Opposing hitters put together just a .224 batting average against Love, a number which ranked eighth in the conference.

Love became just the eighth Tar Heel pitcher to receive First Team All-ACC honors since 1999, joining a list that includes: Daniel Bard, Robert Woodard, Andrew Miller, Alex White, Matt Harvey, Kent Emanuel and J.B. Bukauskas.

His 129 strikeouts were the second-most in a single season in UNC history, trailing only Miller’s 133 strikeouts back in 2006.

On four occasions in 2021, Love threw more than six innings and struck out at least 10 batters. His final two starts of the regular season were both complete games against Louisville and Georgia Tech — with the game against the Yellow Jackets producing a career-high 15 strikeouts.

Atlantic All-Region First Team selections become eligible for ABCA/Rawlings All-American status. The other three First Team starting pitchers alongside Love in the region are Gavin Williams (East Carolina), Andrew Abbott (Virginia) and Trevor Dilaite (Liberty).

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Baseball Beats Elon at Boshamer Stadium; ACC Play Next
It took all nine innings this time, but the Diamond Heels were still able to comfortably beat Elon 5-1 at Boshamer Stadium Tuesday afternoon. Light work of the fire birds 🔥#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/HVWEAqyNhK — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) March 3, 2026 Carolina’s offense was nowhere near its historic level showcased in its weekend sweep of […]
UNC Baseball Rides Hot Bats to Home Sweep vs. Le Moyne
The Diamond Heels scored a combined 49 runs across a three-game sweep of Le Moyne at Boshamer Stadium during the weekend. All three games were ended early via the 10-run rule. Friday’s opening game saw Carolina score five runs in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly, a bases-loaded walk and a bases clearing […]
UNC Baseball Wins Midweek Matchups vs. North Carolina A&T, VCU
The Diamond Heels had no trouble in a pair of midweek games against North Carolina A&T and VCU. Carolina outscored the opposition 22-4 on its way to wins in both matchups at Boshamer Stadium. Tuesday against the Aggies, George Mason transfer Owen Hull had the best game of his young UNC career with three hits […]
UNC Baseball Drops Second Game of East Carolina Series; Final Game Declared a Tie
The Diamond Heels fell in the second game of this weekend’s three-game series against East Carolina and ended Sunday’s rubber match after five innings due to weather conditions. As the score was tied 3-3 at the time of the stoppage, the game will officially go down as a tie. Saturday’s game at Durham Bulls Athletic […]
DeCaro Dazzles as UNC Baseball Beats East Carolina in Series Opener
Jason DeCaro threw a complete-game shutout and the UNC lineup banged out 12 hits as the Diamond Heels rolled past East Carolina 10-0 in Greenville Friday night. The game was ended after eight innings via the run rule. Sprinkled in a 𝘿𝙐𝘽 💪#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/1a6yCgvcLv — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) February 21, 2026 Carolina provided […]
Chansky's Notebook: An Early Test
One of the most unique series on the college baseball calendar gets underway tonight as UNC and ECU open their three-ballpark series.
UNC Baseball Wins Midweek Games vs. Richmond, Longwood
The Diamond Heels hosted games against Richmond and Longwood at Boshamer Stadium this week and won both to move to 5-0 this season.
Walk-Off Home Run Helps UNC Baseball Sweep Opening Series vs. Indiana
The Diamond Heels swept a Saturday doubleheader against Indiana at Boshamer Stadium Saturday, and in the process swept the three-game opening series against the Hoosiers. Carolina ended the first game early via the 10-run rule, scoring three runs in the fifth, six in the sixth and two in the seventh to earn a 12-2 win. […]
Big Inning Helps UNC Baseball Beat Indiana in 2026 Season Opener
The Diamond Heels scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on their way to a 9-4 win against Indiana in the season opener at Boshamer Stadium Friday. WON and oh! #GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/U4BRtzk7db — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) February 14, 2026 UNC’s big inning broke open what had been a close game, […]
'Our Guys Are Ready': UNC Baseball Expresses Excitement Ahead of 2026 Season
After one of the most gut-wrenching losses of his life, Scott Forbes had to turn his frown upside down. Because just one day removed from the end of the Diamond Heels’ 2025 season, Forbes’ program was hosting a key transfer portal target. Welcome to the new world of college athletics. “We lose to Arizona on […]
›