DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — It took more late-game heroics — and some small ball — to propel North Carolina baseball to another win in the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, but they now found themselves in a position to battle for the title.
The third-seeded Tar Heels (41-12) and fourth-seeded Clemson Tigers (44-15) will duke it out in the championship game Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
In the last semifinal game Saturday evening, UNC and No. 2 seed Florida State were tied at 5-5 going into the ninth inning. After Alex Madera reached on an error to open the top of the frame, Perry Hargett then laid out a textbook bunt, putting two Tar Heels on with no outs. Carter French then followed with a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners, who were then driven home during the next at-bat when Kane Kepley lined a hit into center field. UNC would hold in the bottom of the inning to secure the 7-5 win.
Clemson, meanwhile, out-blasted No. 1 seed Georgia Tech in the earlier semifinal Saturday. After the ACC regular season champions took an early 3-0 lead, the Tigers scored five in the top of the third inning, most of them thanks to a grand slam by Jacob Jarrell. Clemson never looked back after that, knocking the Yellow Jackets out of the tournament with a 9-4 win.
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, both the Tar Heels and the Tigers will continue their postseason runs as regionals begin next week. The selection show and bracket reveal for the first part of the NCAA DI baseball postseason is set for Monday afternoon.