Chapel Hill, NC – On a hot Friday afternoon, June 6, 2025, the No. 5-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels (46-13) unleashed an offensive onslaught for the ages, obliterating the Arizona Wildcats (42-19) 18-2 in Game 1 of the NCAA Chapel Hill Super Regional at Boshamer Stadium. Before a frenzied sellout crowd of 4,100, UNC’s bats erupted for a program-record 18 runs in a Super Regional, powered by home runs from Hunter Stokely, Luke Stevenson, and Sam Angelo, while ace Jake Knapp delivered a masterful performance.
A First-Inning Firestorm Ignites Boshamer
The game began with Arizona striking first, as shortstop Garen Caulfield roped an RBI single in the top of the first to plate center fielder Aaron Walton, giving the Wildcats a fleeting 1-0 lead. But the Tar Heels responded with a five-run barrage in the bottom half that set the tone for a historic rout.
Leadoff man Kane Kepley ignited the rally with a triple to right-center, scorching a fastball from Arizona starter Clark Candiotti. Two pitches later, first baseman Hunter Stokely crushed a three-run homer to left.
The inning wasn’t over. Third baseman Gavin Gallaher, fresh off his Chapel Hill Regional Most Outstanding Player honors, laced an RBI double, and designated hitter Sam Angelo added an RBI single, chasing Candiotti after just two-thirds of an inning. By the time the dust settled, UNC had sent 10 batters to the plate and seized a 5-1 lead.
An Offensive Clinic Overwhelms Arizona
The Tar Heels’ lineup, which ranks second in the ACC with a .308 team batting average, was relentless, amassing 17 hits and batting a scorching .600 (9-for-15) with runners in scoring position through six innings. The top five hitters—Kepley, catcher Luke Stevenson, Gallaher, Stokely, and shortstop Alex Madera—combined for 13 hits, 15 runs, and 10 RBIs, showcasing a depth that overwhelmed Arizona’s pitching staff.
In the second inning, Stevenson, shaking off a 1-for-15 regional slump, launched a three-run homer to right, pushing the lead to 8-1. The junior catcher, a preseason All-American, finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
The third inning brought more carnage. Angelo, a senior designated hitter, crushed a three-run homer to left-center, his second of the postseason, while Madera and Tyson Bass added RBI singles. By the fourth, UNC led 14-2, and Arizona’s bullpen was reeling. Reliever Jaeden Swanbeck, pressed into early duty, surrendered five runs in two innings, and the Wildcats’ pitching staff, which had posted a 3.12 ERA in the Eugene Regional, was exposed.
The fifth and sixth innings saw UNC tack on four more runs, with Stokely driving in two more on a double and Gallaher adding an RBI single. The 18 runs marked the most ever by UNC in a Super Regional, surpassing their previous high of 14 against Coastal Carolina in 2008, and the highest in any NCAA Tournament game since a 19-run outburst against VCU in 2022.
Knapp’s Mastery Anchors the Blowout
While UNC’s bats stole the spotlight, Jake Knapp (13-0, 2.17 ERA) provided the stability that allowed the offense to run wild. The ACC Pitcher of the Year navigated six innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven. After Caulfield’s early RBI single, Knapp settled in, retiring 12 of the next 15 batters he faced. His fastball touched 94 mph, and his slider was untouchable, generating six swinging strikeouts.
A defining moment came in the third, when Arizona loaded the bases with two outs. Knapp froze designated hitter Andrew Cain with a backdoor slider for a called third strike. The Wildcats managed a second run in the fifth on a Tommy White sacrifice fly, but Knapp’s command ensured the game was never in doubt.
Arizona’s Offense Stifled
Arizona, fresh off a 3-0 sweep in the Eugene Regional, arrived in Chapel Hill with a reputation for clutch hitting and defensive prowess. But against UNC’s pitching and offensive onslaught, the Wildcats were outmatched. Caulfield led the way, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Walton added a 1-for-3 performance and a spectacular diving catch in center to rob Madera of a double in the second. But the rest of the lineup struggled, striking out nine times and managing just six hits.
Arizona’s defensive highlights, including Walton’s gem and a double play turned by second baseman TJ Adams, were overshadowed by their inability to slow UNC’s bats. The Wildcats, who averaged 7.8 runs per game in the regional, were held to their lowest output since a 2-1 loss to Oregon State in April.
The Boshamer Advantage
UNC’s dominance at Boshamer Stadium is no accident. Friday’s win improved their NCAA Tournament record at home to 38-9, a testament to the “Bosh Magic” that has made Chapel Hill a fortress.
The Tar Heels’ 36-4 home record this season, including a 12-game winning streak, underscores their comfort at Boshamer. The 4,100-seat venue has become a nightmare for opponents, with UNC outscoring foes 102-28 in their last 10 home games.
A Program Built for June
UNC’s postseason pedigree is unrivaled in the ACC. With 12 College World Series appearances and 22 Super Regional berths since 2006, the Tar Heels are no strangers to high-stakes baseball. Under Forbes, who took over in 2021, UNC has reached the NCAA Tournament every year, with back-to-back Super Regional appearances in 2024 and 2025. Their 46-13 record this season, including a 22-8 mark in ACC play and an ACC Tournament championship, reflects a team peaking at the right time.