If there's a year for the UNC baseball team to win its first College World Series championship, 2026 has to be the year.North Carolina (33-7-1, 15-6 ACC) just took a weekend series from Georgia Tech, largely shutting down the nation's top offense. The Diamond Heels broke out with their own offensive explosion in a Game 2 clincher, winning 14-4, but fell just short of a sweep in Sunday's finale.In Monday's updated D1Baseball rankings, UNC deservedly climbed to second. North Carolina is now one spot ahead of the Yellow Jackets (32-7, 16-5 ACC), with UCLA staying in the Number One slot.Known primarily for their pitching, the Diamond Heels are anchored by staff ace Jason DeCaro, plus a shutdown bullpen led by Caden Glauber and Walker McDuffie.

DeCaro and McDuffie are tied for a UNC-best six wins, while combining for 97 strikeouts.North Carolina's hitters, if they didn't already, are the ones starting to capture attention. Center fielder Owen Hull sports a .390 batting average, which includes a team-high 60 hits and 48 RBIs. Hull also has 12 stolen bases, making him and leadoff hitter Jake Schaffner (16 SB) a lightning-fast duo.

Schaffner, Duke transfer Macon Winslow and Stony Brook transfer Erik Paulsen are all also mashing over .300.🆕 D1Baseball Top 25 Rankings: Week 10(Presented by @NettingPros)Who's too high? Too low?🔗 https://t.co/mj2wGV1KRnpic.twitter.com/0w5QGH845n— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) April 20, 2026Since losing to Virginia in the ACC-opening series for both teams, the Diamond Heels now have six straight series wins, including a sweep of then-ranked Notre Dame. UNC is a perfect 11-0 in mid-week games, too, but face a tough test in High Point on Tuesday.How much better can North Carolina get? With several ranked wins, guys stepping up across the roster and timely coaching from Scott Forbes, the Diamond Heels are a team to beat.Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC baseball squad ranked second overall in April 20 D1Baseball Poll