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
‹
Missed Opportunities Cost UNC Baseball in Loss at Duke
The Diamond Heels left 11 men on base on their way to a 3-1 loss at Duke Friday night, evening up the series with the Blue Devils at a game apiece. Duke capitalized on sloppy UNC defense in the first inning. After Carolina’s Ryan Lynch recorded the game’s first two outs, the next two Blue […]
DeCaro Dominates as UNC Baseball Beats Duke in Series Opener
Jason DeCaro allowed just three hits and one run across 7.2 innings in a 3-1 win for the Diamond Heels at Duke Thursday night. 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 1️⃣ Decaro out duels Duke and we open with a 𝙙𝙪𝙗!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/5LOXcbe51H — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 24, 2026 UNC’s bats struggled themselves for much of […]
UNC Baseball at Duke (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Start Times
The No. 2 Diamond Heels will make the short drive over to Durham for a three-game series with rival Duke beginning Thursday. UNC is looking to improve its 9-1 record in true road games this season. If you aren’t attending this weekend’s games in person, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule […]
UNC Baseball Rolls Past High Point in Midweek Matchup
The Diamond Heels scored three runs in the second inning and six in the fourth on their way to a 9-2 win against High Point at Boshamer Stadium Tuesday night. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐧 😤#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/ILzX04V18m — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 22, 2026 Carolina’s nine runs came on just five hits, […]
On Air Today: Voice of UNC Diamond Heel Baseball Dave Nathan
The radio voice of North Carolina Diamond Heel Baseball Dave Nathan spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, April 20. He discussed the team's success so far this season, with specific focus on this past weekend's home series win against #2 Georgia Tech. He also talked about the team's strengths this season, the upcoming schedule, a preview of High Point on Tuesday night, and more.
UNC Baseball Drops Final Game of Weekend Series vs. No. 2 Georgia Tech
The Diamond Heels weren’t able to finish off a series sweep of No. 2 Georgia Tech in Chapel Hill Sunday, dropping the series finale 5-2 after winning Friday and Saturday. The Yellow Jackets led for nearly the entire game, striking quickly in the top of the first and then, after UNC tied it in the […]
UNC Baseball Cruises by UNC-Wilmington for 3rd Consecutive Win
The Diamond Heels scored five runs in the first inning and capitalized on five UNC-Wilmington errors Tuesday night in a 14-5 win at Boshamer Stadium. Sea ya later! Heels put another in the win column!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/6dj58HWgYR — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 15, 2026 The five-run first inning began after UNC drew three consecutive […]
UNC Baseball Drops First Game, But Still Wins Weekend Series at Clemson
Despite a loss in Friday’s opener and a late deficit in Saturday’s second game, the Diamond Heels came back to win two out of three games and earn the series victory during the weekend at Clemson. It’s the second straight weekend UNC has won a series after dropping the first game, and the first time […]
Chansky's Notebook: The Blueprint
If Michael Malone wants to learn how to utilize the transfer portal, he should look no further than the UNC baseball program.
UNC Baseball Wraps Up Homestand with Win vs. Charlotte
The Diamond Heels scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning on their way to an 8-4 win against Charlotte at Boshamer Stadium Tuesday night. Fun night with the fellas! Downed the 49ers 💥#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/zhtnNhGP7c — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) April 8, 2026 UNC’s rally started after two consecutive doubles from Owen […]
›