OMAHA (WNCN) — A classic Atlantic Coast Conference rivalry will open up the 2024 NCAA baseball Men’s College World Series in Omaha.
No. 4 North Carolina (47-14) and No. 12 Virginia (46-15) start things off in Game 1 of the MCWS Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 2 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field. Freshman ace Jason DeCaro will start on the mound for the Tar Heels, while lefty Evan Blanco will be the Cavaliers’ starting pitcher.
With their deep rivalry, UNC and UVA have met 321 previous times on the diamond, with the Tar Heels holding a 192-126-3 all-time series lead. This, however, will be the first time the two schools will meet in the baseball postseason. The Cavaliers won this year’s season series, winning two of three games in Charlottesville.
This is North Carolina’s twelfth overall appearance in the Men’s College World Series and eighth since 2006, but the last time the Diamond Heels made it this far was 2018. This is Virginia’s seventh trip to Omaha, all since 2009. The Cavaliers won the NCAA DI baseball national championship in 2015.
The winner of today’s game will move on to play Sunday night against the winner of tonight’s game between Tennessee and Florida State. The team that loses will next play Sunday afternoon against whichever team loses tonight.