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 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 Beats Pittsburgh, Wins 6th Straight Weekend Series
Seven shutout innings from starting pitcher Jason DeCaro and timely hitting from Luke Stevenson and Hunter Stokely helped the Diamond Heels win 6-0 at Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon and clinch the weekend series against the Panthers. It’s the sixth straight series victory for UNC. Make that 𝙨𝙞𝙭 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 🔥#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/kOQMCLnw3n — Carolina Baseball […]
UNC Baseball Drops Second Game of Weekend Series at Pittsburgh
The Diamond Heels couldn’t overcome an early deficit at Pittsburgh Saturday, as UNC fell 4-2 in the second game of a three-game series with the Panthers. Pitt struck early against UNC starter Aidan Haugh, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after each of the first four Panther batters reached base. […]
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 […]
›