UNC got 8 1/3 innings of shut-out, three-hit ball from ace Jake Knapp as they won their first NCAA tournament game of 2025 4-0 against Holy Cross.

The first three innings saw Knapp’s dominance matched by Holy Cross hurler Danny Macchiarola, with neither team scoring in the first three frames. That all changed in the bottom of the fourth. After a Luke Stevenson flyout, Gavin Gallaher continued his post-season hot hitting by smashing a triple off the wall in left field. Three hits later, UNC had a 3-0 advantage, which seemed like it might be plenty with Knapp still in peak form.

Carolina added their 4th run the next inning on a Jackson Van De Brake double and a Gavin Gallaher single, but the key moment seemed to come in the 6th. The Crusaders loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a single. Knapp appeared to find a different gear for the next two outs, inducing a flyout to shallow center before striking out Gianni Royer to end the threat.

Knapp was able to collect one out in the 9th before giving up a single and getting pulled for Freshman stopper Walker McDuffie. He quickly recorded the final two outs, and Knapp earned his 13th win of the season.

UNC now awaits the winner of Nebraska and Oklahoma for a 6 p.m. first pitch Saturday evening at Boshamer Stadium.

 

Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter

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