North Carolina faces No. 9 Coastal Carolina in a top 10 matchup. The Tar Heels are on a seven-series win streak, while the Chanticleers are coming off a series win over Texas State.
Key points
North Carolina is ranked second in college baseball.
Coastal Carolina is ranked ninth and was the national runner-up last season.
UNC is on a seven-series win streak.
Coastal Carolina has standout player Dean Mihos.
The Chanticleers recently won a series against Texas State.
North Carolina Tar HeelsCoastal Carolina ChanticleersDean Mihos
The Chanticleers (30-13) are coming off a series win over Texas State. Coastal Carolina is building on a highly successful 2025 season in which it went 56-13, won the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament titles and finished as the national runner-up, losing to LSU under then first-year head coach Kevin Schnall.
The Chanticleers have several standout players.
One of them is outfielder Dean Mihos, who leads the team in batting average (.320), hits (55) and doubles (12), while also scoring 46 runs with five home runs and 33 RBIs.
They will also have solid pitching available tonight, with a potential appearance from closer Darin Horn, who has five saves this season.
First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill. Here are some key things to know about Coastal Carolina:
Coastal Carolina’s mid-major powerhouse status
Jun 30, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers players celebrate with the national championship trophy after defeating the Arizona Wildcats in game three of the College World Series championship series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Q&A
What is Coastal Carolina's record before the UNC matchup?
Coastal Carolina has a record of 30-13 before the matchup against UNC.
Who are the standout players for Coastal Carolina?
Outfielder Dean Mihos is a standout player, leading the team with a .320 batting average, 55 hits, and 46 runs scored.
How did UNC perform in their last series against Duke?
UNC clinched the series against Duke with a decisive 22-5 victory in the rubber match.
What achievements did Coastal Carolina have in the 2025 season?
In the 2025 season, Coastal Carolina went 56-13, winning both the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament titles, and finished as the national runner-up.
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Jun 30, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers players celebrate with the national championship trophy after defeating the Arizona Wildcats in game three of the College World Series championship series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
The Chanticleers are one of the nation’s best programs, let alone among those with mid-major status.
Coastal Carolina won the national championship in 2016 and has won 17 conference titles, made 21 NCAA regional appearances and five super regional appearances. The program has hosted a regional as a No. 1 seed on seven occasions (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2018, 2025). The Chanticleers have won 50 or more games in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016 and 2025.
In its two College World Series appearances, Coastal Carolina reached the national championship series both times. It beat Arizona to win the 2016 national title and fell to LSU in the 2025 championship series.
Since 2016, the Chanticleers have gone 412-203-3 with four conference titles (one Big South, three Sun Belt), nine NCAA tournament appearances, two College World Series appearances and one national championship.
Gary Gilmore, who coached Coastal Carolina for 28 seasons from 1996 to 2024 and led the school to its first and only national title, was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2022.
Offense built on “small ball”
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
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
Coastal Carolina’s offense is built around small ball — patience at the plate, timely hitting, getting on base by any means necessary, bunting and aggressive but disciplined baserunning. The Chanticleers do not rely heavily on power or extra-base hits; they prioritize getting on base and then applying pressure.
They rank 26th nationally in total stolen bases and 27th in stolen bases per game. Seven Chanticleers have at least 10 steals this season, and they rank second in the nation in sacrifice bunts. For North Carolina, controlling the running game will be critical to keeping Coastal’s offense in check.
Coastal Carolina is not afraid of the ACC
Jun 18, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers designated hitter Dean Mihos (8) celebrates after hitting a two RBI triple against the Louisville Cardinals during the fifth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Jun 18, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers designated hitter Dean Mihos (8) celebrates after hitting a two RBI triple against the Louisville Cardinals during the fifth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
As their postseason success this century has shown, the Chanticleers are not afraid of the sport’s traditional powers.
That has continued this season, as Coastal Carolina is 3-2 against ACC teams. Here are the Chanticleers’ 2026 results against ACC opponents:
L 6-4 vs. NC State on March 3
W 10-4 vs. Wake Forest on March 10
W 11-6 vs. Clemson on March 24
W 2-1 vs. Wake Forest on April 7
L 10-5 vs. Wake Forest on April 14
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