UNC Baseball: The Collegiate National Team has named several returners.

UNC Has Plenty to Be Excited About on the Mound Heading Into 2026

The Tar Heels’ pitching future is looking bright—especially after Jason DeCaro and Ryan Lynch were officially named to the 2025 USA Collegiate National Team on Friday afternoon.

Following standout performances in USA Baseball’s Stars vs. Stripes Prospect Series, the two UNC pitchers were selected among the 26 top collegiate players chosen to represent the United States in the USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series, taking place July 8–13 across several cities in Japan.

Arkansas led all programs with three selections, but North Carolina tied for second, thanks to DeCaro and Lynch both impressing on the national stage.

DeCaro is no stranger to the red, white, and blue—he pitched three innings for Team USA last summer. In 2025, the right-hander posted a 9–3 record with a 3.78 ERA as a sophomore, typically pitching behind Jake Knapp in UNC’s weekend rotation. He made 16 starts and struck out 70 batters, continuing the momentum from his breakout freshman year.

Lynch, meanwhile, earned his first USA Baseball selection after a standout freshman season. He made 27 appearances with a 2.93 ERA, quickly becoming a key bullpen weapon for the Tar Heels. His big-game poise was on full display late in the season when he stepped into the starting role during the ACC Championship, as well as in NCAA regional and super regional elimination games.

Both DeCaro and Lynch are projected to be core starters for UNC in 2026, and with performances like these, they’ll enter the season as two of the top pitchers in the ACC—and potentially the entire nation.

Wishing them the best as they take the field for Team USA this July!