The 2026 NCAA Tournament begins on Friday, May 29. Here is World Baseball Network’s preview of the 2026 Chapel Hill regional.
Chapel Hill Regional – Boshamer Stadium
No. 1 – North Carolina Tar Heels (45-11-1, 22-8 ACC) – Number Five National Seed
The North Carolina Tar Heels head into the NCAA Tournament as a top-five national seed after losing in the ACC Tournament title game to Georgia Tech.
The Tar Heels feature an exciting hitter in Owen Hull, who transferred into Chapel Hill from George Mason. In 2026, Hull has a .374 batting average with 20 doubles and 75 RBIs.
Jake Schaffner and Macon Winslow have also had big seasons hitting the baseball for North Carolina. Schaffner has a .362 batting average, and Winslow has a .310 batting average this season. Both of those players have combined for 30 doubles and 95 RBIs this season.
Walker McDuffie is a big-time weapon within the Tar Heels’ pitching staff. In 2026, he has a 2.82 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings of work. McDuffie can go multiple games in a row for North Carolina, which makes him a huge weapon in the Chapel Hill regional.
Another pitcher to make note of within North Carolina’s pitching staff is Caden Glauber. The right-hander from Fort Mill, S.C. won the 2026 ACC Freshman of the Year award. In 70 innings of work, he has a 1.93 ERA and 80 strikeouts. Glauber has also allowed an opposing batting average of .179 this season.
No. 2 – Tennessee Volunteers (38-20, 15-15 SEC)
The Tennessee Volunteers have made it to the NCAA Tournament in Josh Elander’s first season as the head coach in Knoxville. Tennessee has ended the 2026 college baseball season on a strong note. The Volunteers won three of their last four SEC weekend series to close the season. This includes two series wins over national seeds Alabama and Texas.
The Volunteers have benefited from a crazy season by Bowling Green transfer Garrett Wright. The Tennessee lead-off hitter has a .346 batting average with an on-base percentage of .433. Veteran outfielder Reese Chapman has also been solid for the Volunteers offensively. He has a .316 batting average with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs.
Tegan Kuhns has been the anchor within Tennessee’s starting rotation this season. In 77 innings of work, he has a 3.39 ERA and 100 strikeouts. Kuhns is a top 60 2026 MLB Draft prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Tennessee poses a tough test for the other three teams in the Chapel Hill regional based on how they have played to end the season.
No. 3 – East Carolina Pirates (36-22-1, 17-10 AAC)
The East Carolina Pirates are in the NCAA Tournament after winning the 2026 American Athletic Conference Tournament title. It is the second-straight AAC Tournament title for the Pirates, and they finished tied at the top of the AAC standings alongside the UTSA Roadrunners.
East Carolina has yet to go to the College World Series despite making seven super regionals in their program’s history.
No. 4 – VCU Rams (37-23, 20-10 A10)
The VCU Rams made the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time this decade. The Rams won their 11th conference tournament title as they defeated Rhode Island twice to win the A-10 Tournament title.
2026 Chapel Hill Regional Schedule
Fri. May 29 – East Carolina vs Tennessee – noon ET – ESPNU
Fri. May 29 – VCU vs North Carolina – 5 p.m. ET – ESPN+
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: North Carolina Jake Schaffner (2) makes a throw during an NCAA baseball game on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
