North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Rank: #13
Conference Rank: #4 ACC
After a couple down years, at least by Coach Mike Fox’s standards, North Carolina has reached three straight NCAA Tournaments, including a trip to Omaha in 2018. Last year the Tar Heels fell just short of that goal, losing at home to Auburn in the Super Regionals. The 2020 campaign has a lot of questions, but Coach Fox has plenty of talent to work with and his pitching staff could get UNC back to Omaha.
2019: 46-19, 17-13
2019 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Mike Fox
Key Departed Players:
Ike Freeman, IF, .293 BA, 6 HR, 52 RBI
Michael Busch, IF, .284 BA, 16 HR, 57 RBI
Ashton McGee, OF/IF, .278 BA, 7 HR, 46 RBI
Tyler Baum, P, 3.87 ERA, 7-3 W/L, 93.0 IP, 99 SO
Austin Bergner, P, 4.94 ERA, 6-1 W/L, 82.0 IP, 77 SO
Key Returning Players:
Aaron Sabato, IF, .343 BA, 18 HR, 63 RBI
Danny Serretti, IF, .299 BA, 3 HR, 45 RBI
Dylan Harris, OF, .268 BA, 7 HR, 29 RBI
Joey Lancellotti, P, 3.12 ERA, 6-4 W/L, 52.0 IP, 56 SO
Projection:
If the Tar Heels are going to get to Omaha, they will need their pitching staff to stay healthy. Gianluca Dalatri was a Freshman All-American in 2017, but was limited to just 32.0 innings last season. But in those six starts he posted a 2.25 ERA and struck out 35 batters. If Dalatri can stay healthy, he will help carry this team a long way. Will Sandy and Max Alba have less experience, but those two should fill out the weekend rotation. Sandy got his feet wet as a freshman and should take a big step forward this year, while Alba missed out on his true freshman campaign entirely due to injury. With Joey Lancellotti leading a talented bullpen, UNC has more than enough proven arms to worry the rest of the ACC. At the plate there are a few key players to build around as well. Aaron Sabato had an amazing freshman season, earning ACC Freshmen of the Year accolades after hitting .343 with 18 homeruns and 63 RBIs. Danny Serretti is a consistent hitter too and added 45 RBIs. Dylan Harris will be the other main power threat along with Sabato. Harris belted seven homeruns and should be in for a big senior season. A handful of sophomores and newcomers will be asked to fill in around those three. North Carolina was extremely patient at the plate last season, leading the nation in walks. If the less experienced hitters can carry that torch and set up the power hitters to drive them in, this will be an offense that can do enough to allow the pitching staff to win plenty of games.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
