UNC-Coastal Carolina Top 10 baseball: Four Chanticleers to watch

Jun 22, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers designated hitter Dean Mihos (8) hits a single against the LSU Tigers during the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The only Chanticleer hitting over .300, Mihos leads a solid group of batters in Conway. Mihos mashes a Coastal-best .320 and leads his teammates with 55 hits.

During the Chants' series victory over Texas State, Mihos enjoyed a 4-for-14 weekend with two runs. He'll try and extend his hitting streak against North Carolina on Tuesday night.

OF Rex Watson

Aug 30, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers mascot “Chanticleer” looks on from the sidelines against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Every great team has a power hitter. For Coastal, that guy is sophomore outfielder Rex Watson, who transferred in from San Diego during the offseason.

Watson's 11 home runs and 47 RBI are both tops on the Chanticleers, but he's hitless in his past 14 at-bats. Texas State pitching limited Watson to one run and RBI, proving North Carolina can do the same on Tuesday night.

RHP Jackson Smallets

Batterymates Braeden Lipoff (left) and Jackson Smallets have put a strong charge into the Gloucester Catholic High School baseball team. The top-ranked Rams opened their quest for a record-eighth Diamond Classic title with 3-0 victory over Cherry Hill West on Thursday.

A freshman who starred at Gloucester Catholic High School, Smallets now serves as an "opener" for Coastal largely during midweek games.

Smallets has seven starts in 11 appearances for the Chants, compiling a 3.75 ERA. In a 2-1 loss to UNC-Wilmington on April 21, Smallets enjoyed his longest outing, hurling 6 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.

When Coastal takes the field, don't be surprised if #38 starts on the mound.

RHP Darin Horn

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 22: Darin Horn #39 of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers pitches during the seventh inning against the LSU Tigers in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals at Charles Schwab Field on June 22, 2025 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)

The Diamond Heels have Walker McDuffie. The Chanticleers counter with senior closer Darin Horn, one of the country's best bullpen arms.

Horn anchors Coastal with six wins and five saves, adding a team-best 62 strikeouts. Hitters are just .225 against Horn, so North Carolina will want to tack runs on early.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC baseball: Which Coastal players should you pay attention to?