Third-ranked North Carolina, which has emerged as a clear College World Series contender, will host second-ranked Georgia Tech, which has the nation’s best batting lineup, in a three-game series this weekend.
The Diamond Heels (31-6-1, 13-5 ACC) and Yellow Jackets (31-5, 15-3 ACC) open the set at 6 p.m. Friday, meet again at noon Saturday and close the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.
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What truly separates this UNC team, though, is its pitching staff — especially a deep and reliable bullpen that has become one of the most feared in the country.
Freshman right-hander Caden Glauber leads the entire staff with three saves and 51 strikeouts, posting a 4-0 record and a 1.71 ERA. Sophomore right-hander Walker McDuffie anchors the bullpen and paces the Tar Heels with six wins.
If there is one team playing better than North Carolina right now, it might be Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets arrive in Chapel Hill riding the nation’s longest active winning streak at 13 games.
Here is a look at some key players from the Yellow Jackets.
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Burress, Georgia Tech’s center fielder, is ranked as the No. 5 prospect for the 2026 MLB draft, according to MLB.com. The two-time All-American and first-team All-ACC selection is hitting .338 with 11 doubles, a team-high three triples, seven home runs and 31 RBIs.
Lackey, regarded as one of the best catchers in the country, not just the ACC, is rated the No. 12 prospect for the 2026 MLB draft, according to MLB.com. He is batting .386 with 10 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 45 RBIs.
Advincula leads Georgia Tech in hits (64), batting average (.421) and stolen bases (5). He has had eight games with three or more hits. Five of those games have come in the last three ACC series.
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A Pitt transfer, he is your stereotypical power hitter, as he leads the team in home runs with 14 but also leads the team in strikeouts (50). Still, he’s a dangerous hitter and all it takes is one swing.
McKee is the Friday night starter for the Yellow Jackets. He has a 3.50 ERA, with 17 runs allowed (all earned) on 34 hits, 25 walks and 45 strikeouts.
After missing most of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Blakely (5-1) has put together a standout year and will likely start Sunday. He has a team-best 2.34 ERA, allowing just nine earned runs on 30 hits with 38 strikeouts and only nine walks.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC vs. Georgia Tech: Yellow Jacket players to wtch
