Gavin Gallaher's 'slow heartbeat' steadies UNC baseball's infield as a sophomore

Before every game, Gavin Gallaher has a routine. The sophomore third baseman started this routine last year and his play on the field has had a positive shift ever since.

It's simply how he puts on and takes off his gear.

Leg guard. He slides his right and left batting gloves into his back pocket. And then Gallaher puts his helmet on. 

“Last year, I just started doing it and it kind of felt normal,” Gallaher said. “And then I started playing well, and so I decided I had to do it.”

During his first-year campaign, Gallaher became a stalwart at third base and a key piece for the Diamond Heels in their run to the College World Series. The Apex, N.C. native hit .314, smashed eight home runs — including a walk off grand slam against Long Island University in the Chapel Hill Regional of the NCAA tournament — and 38 RBIs for the Tar Heels last year. Heading into the 2025 season, Gallaher is focused on building on his confidence from the past, stepping into his new leadership role and continuing to be the slow heartbeat of North Carolina’s experienced infield.

“I’ve always tried to do my best in being a lead by example [leader],” Gallaher said. "But the big step this year is being more vocal.”

Following a steady first year in which Gallaher made flashy and key defensive plays at third, he finally had his big moment. With the Diamond Heels down 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth inning to Long Island in the UNC's first game of the Chapel Hill Regional, Gallaher launched a moonshot to left center field. 

It’s something he still gets asked about. 

“[I] take that with me every day,” Gallaher said. "But it’s in the past and it’s not going to help us win this year. So I just have to use what I can from that while leaving it in the past.”

And Gallaher has left it in the past. 

That moment didn't guarantee his starting position this year. He had to earn it. 

In 2024, Gallaher didn’t solidify his third base position until late in the spring. During fall ball, and even till the start of last season, Gallaher played second base.

“At first it was tough being moved around,” Gallaher said. “But at the end of the day it’s just whatever the team needs. And so that’s what I’ve just really tried to throw myself into. If this is what’s best for the team, then that’s what I’m gonna do my best to do.”

As he got more comfortable and consistent at third, he realized it was exactly what he needed. He worked harder and displayed his versatility. 

That versatility doesn’t go unnoticed and it's a quality that has followed him into his sophomore season. 

“He can also move and play other positions,” head coach Scott Forbes said. “But I feel like for our infield defense, that’s our best lineup, Gavin at third.”

Senior second baseman Jackson Van De Brake, along with the rest of the team, have noticed his “slow heartbeat.”

Gallaher steadies the team when they need it most — nothing gets to him. It’s helped for a smooth transition with the new infield group. 

“The rest of us were joking we might have the oldest infield in America minus him,” Van De Brake said. “But he might as well be as old as us just based off of his maturity and his work ethic. He fits right in.” 

Though Gallaher looks to build on his breakout performance and newly developed leadership, it all starts with the same thing.

Leg guard. Sliding both batting gloves into his pocket.

Helmet on.

@mdmaynard74

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com