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
‹
College Baseball Foundation Names UNC's Jake Knapp National Pitcher of the Year
UNC right-hander Jake Knapp has been named the National Pitcher of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 👏 Jake Knapp is the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿. pic.twitter.com/uFaFnNZAWy — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) June 13, 2025 Knapp missed the entirety of the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the […]
Chansky's Notebook: Unbelievable
Scott Forbes will bring back another good team in 2026, but it may take him until that opening day to get over this Diamond Heels calamity.
Late Collapse Dooms UNC Baseball in NCAA Super Regional Game 3
Arizona capitalized on a pair of fielding errors in the top of the eighth inning to score three runs and stun the Diamond Heels 4-3 in the winner-take-all game of the NCAA Super Regionals at Boshamer Stadium Sunday afternoon. UNC’s season is over. Carolina entered the inning leading 3-1 on the strength of a three-run […]
UNC Baseball in the 2025 NCAA Super Regionals: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Start Times
UNC baseball is hosting a super regional round, as the No. 5 Diamond Heels welcome the Arizona Wildcats for a best-of-three series.
Arizona Battles Back vs. No. 5 UNC Baseball in Super Regional; Heels Lose 10-8
Arizona used a four-run seventh inning to push past No. 5 UNC baseball and win 10-8 on Saturday, forcing a winner-take-all game in the supers.
No. 5 Diamond Heels Use Hit Parade to Crush Arizona 18-2 in Super Regional Opener
The No. 5 Diamond Heels opened up their super regional round vs. Arizona with a 18-2 win Friday afternoon, setting a UNC postseason record.
UNC Baseball's Jake Knapp Named Finalist for National Pitcher of the Year
UNC's Jake Knapp continues to rack up accolades, as he is a finalist for the College Baseball Foundation's top collegiate pitching award.
UNC Baseball Blasts Oklahoma 14-4 to Advance to NCAA Super Regionals; Gallaher Hits 2 Homers
Gavin Gallaher continued his scorching offensive streak in the regional series, helping power the No. 5 Diamond Heels to the 14-4 win against Oklahoma to send UNC to the NCAA Super Regional round.
Chansky’s Notebook: It’s Real Now
UNC baseball went from a homefield favorite to a team with an empty bullpen after dropping an extended second game vs. Oklahoma on Sunday.
UNC Baseball Overwhelmed in Regional Rematch vs. Oklahoma, Falls 9-5
No. 5 UNC baseball's vaunted pitching stumbled against Oklahoma's hot bats on Sunday night, as the Sooners staved off elimination and forced a Game 7 regional final with a 9-5 win.
›