No. 6 UNC baseball displays pitching depth in doubleheader win over Texas Tech

After waiting 623 days since his last outing, graduate pitcher Jake Knapp couldn’t recall any of his thoughts or feelings when taking the mound on Friday afternoon.  

“There honestly weren't really any [feelings],” Knapp said. “Kind of blacked out when I came out there from the pen. Just go out there and get after it, but it was awesome to be back.” 

The right-hander, slated as one of UNC’s potential Sunday starters, came in at relief to begin the sixth inning in North Carolina’s season opener. It was his first appearance for the Diamond Heels since June 2, 2023, after Knapp tore his UCL weeks before the season last spring. 

“That was a big deal,” head coach Scott Forbes said. “Jake Knapp sat beside me every pitch last year. I called him coach Knapp, and now I don't call him coach Knapp anymore. He's able to pitch.”

His appearance, alongside great outings by sophomore starter Jason Decaro and first-year reliever Walker McDuffie, helped No. 6 North Carolina win both doubleheader games against Texas Tech on Friday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. The Diamond Heels defeated the Red Raiders, 5-1, in the first game and 8-3 in the second to open the season 2-0. 

DeCaro, North Carolina’s ace, pitched a gem through the game’s first five frames. Sitting around 92-94 mph, the 18-year-old hurled 11 straight fastballs to open his 2025 campaign and used it to strike out his first two batters.

He punched out six Red Raiders in total and allowed just one hit in his shutout performance. It was only in the third inning when DeCaro found himself in a bit of trouble, walking back-to-back hitters. 

But after a mound visit by catcher Luke Stevenson, the right-handed pitcher worked his way out of the jam by striking out the next two batters.

“He’s a special talent,” Knapp said. “He's a normal kid and he's able to take that into the games and his preparation and just have fun.”

When the time came for Knapp’s return to the mound, the Greensboro, N.C. native showed no signs of injury — opening with a 96 mph fastball. He then threw two more to strike out his first Texas Tech batter in three pitches total. 

“I thought his velocity was really, really good, and he just pounds the strike zone,” Forbes said.

Knapp’s three innings in relief helped North Carolina secure a 5-1 victory in game one. An hour later, senior Aidan Haugh took the mound in the day’s second installment. 

His outing was not as sharp as DeCaro’s, and after being relieved by junior Kyle Percival, who tossed one and a third innings, the Diamond Heels surrendered an early two-run lead. 

With two on and one out in the fifth, UNC went to McDuffie out of the bullpen. He surrendered a ground ball hit up the middle which plated a Texas Tech run, but ultimately got out of the inning with little damage. 

From there, McDuffie tallied five strikeouts and no hits after the initial jam and was the game’s winning pitcher as North Carolina claimed the series win over Texas Tech with an 8-3 victory.

An impressive Diamond Heels debut, while sporting black-framed glasses that give him a signature look. 

“He goes out there, glasses on, and the other team is probably like, ‘Who is this guy, this freshman?’” Forbes said. “Then all of a sudden, that ball comes out at 94 with that nasty slider.”

UNC’s opening day was a catch-all preview of the arms North Carolina has in its bullpen this season. And with the departure of offensive juggernauts from last year, pitching might be how the Diamond Heels can find their way back to Omaha. 

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